NEW investment opportunities were identified in Central Mindanao in a bid to accelerate economic growth in the area, officials confirmed on Thursday.

The latest business prospects dangled by the regional Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is set to be formally launched during the 1st Regional Investment Conference next week in General Santos City.

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Nelly Nita Dillera, DTI-Central Mindanao business development division chief, said the new investments opportunities include sunflower and moringa (malunggay) farming, production of coconut sugar, honeybee and barako coffee, and fresh water shrimp or ulang cultivation.

The region also offered eco-tourism and engineering and architectural designs as new investment areas, she added.

"We have invited national experts and consultants to discuss opportunities in these fields," she said.

Central Mindanao, which straddles the provinces of South Cotabato, North Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat and Sarangani, is known as one of the major rice and corn producers in the country but its export performance is largely fueled by the tuna, pineapple and coconut industries.

Ibrahim K. Guiamadel, DTI-Central Mindanao director, said the new business opportunities in the region seek to develop micro, small and medium entrepreneurs (MSMEs).

In luring prospective local investors to venture in the new business opportunities, Guiamadel said the agency will link them to financial institutions as well as market players.

Of the new investment opportunities in the region, moringa has been the first to take off ground.

Last month, the regional trade office said farmers from South Cotabato and Sarangani have committed about 158 hectares for moringa production after signing a marketing deal with Secura International Corp.

Dillera said they hope a target production area of 15,000 hectares for moringa in the next few years.

Guiamadel encouraged farmers to plant the crop due to its market potential because of its “tremendous” health benefits and its potential to produce biofuel.

"Research showed that once for ounce, moringa leaves contain seven times the Vitamin C found in orange, four times the Vitamin A found in carrot, and four times the calcium found in milk, three times the potassium found in bananas and two times the protein found in yogurt," he said.