This document proposes a project to develop food products from new cocoyam and ginger to provide livelihood opportunities for communities in Southern Leyte, Philippines affected by Typhoon Odette. The project aims to 1) gather farming and marketing practices of new cocoyam and ginger farmers, 2) develop and optimize food products from new cocoyam and ginger, and 3) provide technical skills training to community members. The project will help generate income through commercialization of the developed food products and boost the economic recovery of affected areas.

1. Mainstreaming New Cocoyam (Xanthosoma sagittifolium L.)
and Ginger (Z. officinale var amarum) for Sustainable Food
Production: Alternative Livelihood for Typhoon Odette Affected
Communities in Southern Leyte
Pet Anthony L. Pascual, Noel Celeste, Roxanne M. Cejas
and Ramel E. Claros

2. Rationale
Last December 16, 2021, super typhoon “Odette” left one of the deadliest
devastations in many provinces in the Philippines including the province of
Southern Leyte.
The main means of living in the province which are agriculture, fishing,
agriculture labor, daily wages, and small trade were also affected.
A long term project on Livelihood Development through technical skills
training on food processing utilizing available and thriving commodities
after the super typhoon is felt urgent.

3. The Center for Organic and Natural Food Research (CONFoR) of Southern
Leyte State University (SLSU) seeks to employ a research-based approach in
providing assistance to the affected communities in Southern Leyte.
By utilizing ginger and new cocoyam, two of the thriving commodities after
super typhoon “Odette” hit the province as main components in the
research and development efforts of CONFoR, SLSU will be able to process,
sell and utilize its developed technologies as a source of livelihood.
New cocoyam is full with vitamins and minerals, carbohydrates, fiber and
starch. On the other hand, ginger is a biopharmaceutical plant and contains
natural bioactive components.

4. This project is not only highly relevant to the economic recovery of the
affected areas of typhoon “Odette”, it is important in the improvement of
health and wellness as well.
In the future, the entry of developed products in the shelves of different
grocery stores in the country is expected to shift the consumption pattern
from the unhealthy “high-sugar” snack items to a functionally healthy
alternative.
Consequently, the realization of this project can help generate source of
income or livelihood among affected families, farmers, growers and local
entrepreneurs.

5. Objectives of the Program
a. General Objective – To develop food products and other confectioneries from New
Cocoyam (Xanthosoma sagittifolium L.) and Ginger (Z. officinale var amarum) as a source of
livelihood in Southern Leyte.
b. Specific Objectives –
1. To be able to gather farming and marketing practices from the new cocoyam and ginger
farmers of Southern Leyte after typhoon Odette.
2. To develop and optimize food products from new cocoyam and ginger.
3. To utilize optimized food products from new cocoyam and ginger with breadfruit and
other Supplements.
4. To determine the proximate content of optimized food products.
5. To utilize the developed food products as an alternative source of livelihood among
typhoon “Odette” affected areas in Southern Leyte especially among women and out-of-
school youths.

6. Materials and Methods
Project 1. Production and Marketing Practices of Ginger and New Cocoyam
Farmers in the Province of Southern Leyte After Super Typhoon “Odette”
 Data gathering for this project will be done through fieldwork in the farms in Southern
Leyte Province growing new cocoyam and ginger.
 The researchers will immerse into the communities and conduct interviews and focus
group discussions (FGDs) with key informants.
 The researchers will also employ both participant and non-participatory observation
techniques in gathering the data.
 Researchers will do thematic analysis of the responses during interviews and FGDs as well
as observation notes to be able to formulate guidelines on the importance of sustaining
agricultural production.
Project Leader: Prof. Noel Celeste

7. Project 2. Development of Fruit-like products, Beverages and other
confectioneries from New Cocoyam (Xanthosoma sagittifolium L.) and
Ginger (Z. officinale var amarum)
Project leader: Prof. Roxanne M. Cejas (New Cocoyam-based products)
Study leader : Prof. Ramel E. Claros (Ginger-based products)
 The new cocoyam corms and ginger tubers will be collected from the farms visited in Project 1.
 The collected corms and will be processed in accordance on how they will be used in the
experiments.
 For Food Product Development and Optimization studies, fruit-like products, pastries,
beverages and other confectioneries will be formulated from standard recipes and as new
innovations with the use of the new cocoyam and ginger.
 Optimized formulations will be subjected to proximate analysis, shelf-life determination and
consumer testing.

8. Project 3. Technical Skills Expertise Training in Ginger and Cocoyam Processing
in Selected Municipalities in Southern Leyte
Project leader: Prof. Pet Anthony L. Pascual
 Initial needs assessment will be conducted in municipalities in Southern Leyte that were heavily affected
by super typhoon “Odette”.
 Preliminary meetings with the project members, selected beneficiaries through peoples organization and
different agencies involve will be conducted.
 Needed food processing equipment, utensils and raw materials for the implementation of the project will
be procured.
 Skills trainings on processing developed ginger and new cocoyam food technologies from Project 2 will be
provided to the community with the support of the LGU.
 The training will also include providing of knowledge on selling price computation, choosing the right
packaging and creating the appropriate label to enhance marketability and information.

9. Work Schedule

10. Work Schedule

11. Work Schedule

12. Budgetary Requirement

13. Expected output/ Deliverables
Upon completion, the program will develop at least twenty (20) Utility
Models, two (2 international publications, one (1) research-based
community extension project and technology commercialization.

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15. Thank you for Listening!