TechCom project to conserve Philippine wild raspberry in progress

Christmas de Guzman

A technology commercialization project on the production and utilization of an endemic plant species in the country called wild raspberry or "Sapinit" is being supported by the Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR) and the National Agricultural and Fishery Council (NAFC) of the Department of Agriculture under the leadership of Secretary Arthur C. Yap.

The project involves the conservation and development of the economic potential of Sapinit found in Mt. Banahaw, Quezon Province. It aims to develop a package of technology to enhance Sapinit production and utilization that would help broaden household income-earning opportunities for the communities in the target areas.

Scientifically known as Rubus rosaefolius L., Sapinit is a spiny, branchy shrub that grows up to a height of 1.3 meters and a diameter of 3 centimeters. Its leaves are pinnate or featherlike consisting of three to seven leaflets. It has white-colored flowers and bears fruits that are berry-type matching the shape of the cultivated strawberry. However, it only measures up to 3 centimeters in length and 1.8 centimeters in diameter at the fruit base. It is orange-red color when ripe and has sweet sour taste. This kind of wild raspberry is widely distributed in open secondary forests from Luzon to Mindanao at low to medium altitude, especially where the soil of fertile and there is abundant soil moisture.

Similar to strawberry and Bignay, Sapinit can be processed into jam, wine, vinegar and many other food products which could generate additional income to the rural households. The project aims to develop a package of technology to enhance the production and utilization of the wild raspberry.

The Quezon Agricultural Experiment Station, DA-Region IV as the proponent, has renovated the processing area at the Research Outreach Station and is already processing Sapinit into jam and wine. They have already identified the demonstration farm in Sitio Bangkong Kahoy, Kinabuhayan in Dolores, Quezon. The proprietors of a resort in the area presently raise Sapinit within their vicinity and are already processing this into vinaigrette for salad dressing.

The project targets the members of the Rural Improvement Club of Kabuhayan as beneficiaries of the project. The 22 members have been briefed on the project and are already expecting to be trained in Sapinit production and processing.

"Sapinit Production and Utilization Project" is one of the 13 high-potential projects which are being supported under the 2KR-Grant Assistance for Underprivileged Farmers (GAUF) through a grant funds received from the Government of Japan (GOJ).