Adaptability Trial of Adlai

"RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY MAYOR, HONORABLE DARLENE MAGNOLIA R. ANTONINO-CUSTODIO TO ENTER INTO A MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT TO BE ENTERED INTO BY AND BETWEEN THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE- REGIONAL FIELD OFFICE 12 AND CITY GOVERNMENT OF GENERAL SANTOS REGARDING THE ADAPTABILITY TRIAL OF ADLAI UNDER MARGINAL AREAS OF GENERAL SANTOS CITY".

The City of General Santos City is an agricultural city is developing into an agri-industrial location. The development corresponds to the increase of population thus making most of the agricultural lands into residential lots. In addition, the rice production is not equally meeting the demand of the increasing population. While corn production is still expanding, much of these are appropriated for livestock feeds. Upland barangays in marginal areas of the city produces and consumes crops such as corn, banana and some rootcrops instead of rice because the planting materials are available and do not need more effort during production. This is why the Local Government of General Santos headed by the City Mayor, Hon. Darlene Magnolia R. Antonino-Custodio sees this fact and addresses this concern to its food security.

The commitment of the Department of Agriculture in finding ways and means to attain food security and sufficiency in the country leads to the discovery and exploration of the high potentials of Adlai as the best staple crop of both rice and corn whether in upland or rainfed areas.

What is Adlai? Adlai is related to rice which is technically a weed that is nutritious. Adlai is a good alternative to rice and corn. It is a freely branching upright herb that grows as tall as 3 feet and propagates through seeds. It is widely known as Job’s tears due to its tear-like shape of its grains that comes in color white or brown. The potential of Adlai production may well solve not only the City of GenSan but also the country’s chronic insufficiency as far as palay is concerned.

 Job's Tears

Several field trials on the adaptability of adlai are ongoing conducted by different research centers across the country. With the continuous research and development, recent findings shows that adlai gain more advantage to other staple food in terms of quality and nutrition content.

The City of Government of General Santos through the Office of the City Agriculturist in partnership with the Department of Agriculture is in high spirits in seeking additional source of food. This adaptability trial of adlai intends to avail and conduct field test evaluating the growth and yield performance of at least 3 varieties of adlai under the weather condition in the city.

With the meeting minds of the government officials, Hon. Eduardo D. Leyson IV passed a resolution at the 16th Sanggunian authorizing CM Antonino-Custodio to enter into a MOA with the DA. The project is to be implemented in marginal areas of the city particularly in the Barangays of Conel, Mabuhay, Upper Labay, San Jose, Sinawal, Olympog and Batomelong. The city’s project is in support to the High Value Crop Development Program (HVCDP) of the DA.