The demand for healthier food options is on the rise, driven by an increasing number of health-conscious consumers. According to a survey by Food Industry Asia, eight out of ten Filipino consumers have become more health conscious and prefer healthier food choices as long as they taste good.
This growing awareness of the importance of a healthy diet presents a huge market opportunity for unique, tasty, and nutritious crops like East-West Seed’s hybrid Morado F1 purple sweet waxy corn.
With its vibrant color, anthocyanin content, sweetness, and potential to increase income, Morado presents an attractive opportunity for Filipino farmers.
Morado can provide farmers with a steady income opportunity throughout the year as it is suitable for planting throughout the year. It is also an early maturing type of corn – farmers can harvest within 60 to 62 days after planting, which enables them to sell their produce to the market earlier.
Morado stands out not only for its bright purple color but also for its ear quality. The grains are soft, tender, and remain sweet even two days after harvesting.
Another unique quality of Morado is its high anthocyanin content. Anthocyanins are the natural compounds responsible for Morado’s purple color. Studies show that anthocyanins have antioxidant properties, which offer many health benefits. This includes reducing inflammation and preventive potential against cancer. Research also suggests that anthocyanins may be beneficial to the gut, contributing to overall improved health. Morado’s anthocyanin content makes it an attractive choice for health-conscious consumers.
Levi Llaneta, a farmer from Albay who grows Morado shared, “Morado is very easy to sell in the market. Our buyers are always looking for Morado because it is sweet, sticky, and has health benefits.
Mike Paragozo, a farmer from Agusan del Sur, also confirmed Morado’s potential to increase income. He shared that the market value of Morado commands a premium, with prices ranging from 50 to 80 pesos per kilo, compared to other types of corn.
From Mike’s experience, customers are willing to buy Morado, regardless of the size and higher price, because they prioritize the health benefits it offers.
“Every week, we plant 1-2 kilos of Morado to ensure a continuous supply,” said Mike. This consistent cultivation method enables him to meet the growing demand for this unique plant and exploit its potential in the market. Mike also shared that Morado is easy to grow. He proudly mentioned, “From my experience, Morado has a high growth rate of almost 95%. It is also resistant to diseases.”
The uniqueness and versatility of Morado also opens up different marketing avenues for farmers like Mike. He shared, “Morado can be sold to corn coffee processors, fresh markets or directly to consumers.”
In addition, due to its unique purple color, the fields planted in Morado have the potential to attract tourists, offering an additional income opportunity for farmers. Mike established Morado as the trademark of his farm in Agusan del Sur to attract tourists intrigued by this variety of purple corn.
“At East-West Seed, we aim to improve the lives of our farmers by offering them new and high-yielding vegetable seed varieties suited to local conditions and local needs. market,” said Jay Lopez, General Manager of East-West Seed Philippines.
“Morado purple corn combines visual appeal, health benefits, and a significant potential to increase income, making it a favorable choice for commercial farmers,” added Lopez.
