On May 27, 2019, the Department of Agriculture (DA)-Abra in coordination with the Provincial Government of Abra headed by Gov. Joy Bernos provided a sugarcane production training program to Shine Sabangan Farmers’ Association of Malibcong.

This training program, under CHARMP 2 scale-up of DA, was conducted in Agtangao, Bangued. Agtangao is known for its sugarcane production and processing as their traditional livelihood.

The participants learned new sugarcane planting varieties namely tarlac and alunan to increase their production. They were also taught how to process and cook different sugarcane products such as molasses, balikutsa, muscovado, vinegar, and basi (sugarcane wine).

The participants were also taught how to use the sugarcane juicer and the right cooking facility. In this way, it will only take them less than two hours to prepare muscovado compared to the traditional method which takes them 8-10 hours.

DOST Provincial Science and Technology Center Director Menandro B. Buenafe assured the public that the locally produced vinegar and other sugarcane products of Abra are safe for consumption. Vinegar and sugarcane wine in the province are naturally fermented and the raw materials used come from locally grown sugarcanes.

He said it is best to patronize our own locally made vinegar since other vinegars in the country were found to be adulterated with synthetic acetic acid which is not good for our health.