Top scientist sees Maganhup leaf as farmers’ source of income

By JESSIE REYES
LIBACAO, Aklan – Maganhup leaf can be another source of income for Libacao farmers, said a country’s top scientist.
When Dr. Emil Javier, current president of the National Academy of Science and Technology, came here in Libacao and went to Dalagsa-an town to assess its viability of abaca plantation, a farmer presented him leaves of a Maganhup tree and said that its shade “helped them produce good abaca plants.”
“The leaves must have served as fertilizers,” said Javier who admitted that the Maganhup tree is new to him.
Despite this, he was certain that the leaf contains protein, calcium and minerals. He also took a sample to examine if it has alkaloid.
“If it indeed contains alkaloid, then it can be a leaf meal. It could also be another source of revenue for local farmers,” he said.
Aklan State University was advised by Javier to study the Maganhup tree.Javier’s visit is in line with the Philippine Agriculture 2020 project that focuses on expansion of the country’s abaca production.
Libacao, which has a substantial land area for abaca free of virus and of high grade quality, is waiting for Javier’s recommendation to be the country’s pilot site for abaca production.