CITY OF SAN FERNANDO---The Pampanga State Agricultural University (PSAU) in Magalang town is the country's first mulberry tea processing plant.
On June 13, 2023, officials of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Kuwanosato, Inc. and PSAU opened the plant located inside the university campus which was established in early 2020.
The operation of the plant was stalled by the Covid-19 crisis.
The factory can process about 500 kilograms of raw leaves in eight hours and produce around 100 kilograms of mulberry tea, using new technology courtesy of JICA.
"We have been introducing new technology and innovation to move up the agriculture value chain in the Philippines. This mulberry tea processing plant is important in agro-industry development, jobs creation, and income generation. It also contributes to meeting the growing demand of Filipino consumers for healthier lifestyles,” said JICA Chief Representative Sakamoto Takema.
PSAU and Kuwanosato, Inc. are working to sustain commercialize mulberry tea products from Pampanga that will cater to both local and export demands, including Japan.
They are also currently piloting mulberry cultivation techniques with three model farms in Pampanga which would supply the mulberry leaves to be processed into tea in the facility in PSAU.
Mulberry tea is a well-known natural and caffeine-free drink, which is very useful for weight loss, cholesterol reduction and diabetes control.