Wine making technology transfer to the grassroots

Joebit and Oliver presenting the ITDI wine kit to tuba producers 

Oliver and Joebit were as excited as Josefina and 64 of her friends as they met in one venue to teach and learn, respectively on the standard method of wine making using coconut sap as raw materials. The event was a training on social preparation and entrepreneurship appreciation course with training cum production on coconut wine conducted in Brgy Bunga, Cabucgayan, Biliran on April 17-20, 2012

Joebit Ocasla and Oliver Evangelista, who visited the place for the 1st time, are both resource persons from the Industrial Technology Development Institute of the Department of Science and Technology in Bicutan, Taguig City who trained 65 members of the Cabucgayan Corn Farmers Association who are also producers of the traditional tuba, a wine produced from coconut sap.

The fun on their part was shown in the very enthusiastic mood of imparting the knowledge they have on wine making using improved fermentation techniques using their agency designed wine kit. The process was really enjoyable with Oliver and Joebit explaining highly technical information in a very down to earth manner and examples that is comprehensible to the levels of the tuba gatherers (manangiti) who didn't even reach high school. Yet the participants understood and appreciated the methods introduced.

Josefina L. Genoguin, who is CACOFA president,with the rest of the members, intensely joined the learning and fun. Another encouragement on their part is the vision of improving their coconut wine to evolve into a more classy product at par with commercial wines in the market.

Mr. Romeo Dignos, DOST Biliran PSTD also presented the project concept on coconut wine improvement project and the technology needed to achieve the project goals. Ms. Rosario Orejola of DOLE Biliran together with Ms. Charity Nicolas, a private consultant, joined hands in providing social preparation seminar and entrepreneurial appreciation to the CACOFA members.

Mayor Gemma Adobo of Cabucgayan was so appreciative of the efforts of the DOST and DOLE and exerted full support for the project despite being so busy with other appointments by deputizing her Municipal Agriculturist Ms. Maria P. Suson.

Members of the facilitating team included Engr. Cathy Gonda, Engr. DOnnie Rey Duhig, Engr. Jefferson Aribe, and Mr. Teddy Abenido of DOST Biliran, Eng. Florentino Quinones, and Mr. Dominic Abiabi of DOST-8.

The training included the demonstration on the use of ITDI wine kit which was acquired by LGU Cabucgayan for the project. The farmers were also taught on the basic raw material control by measuring sugar level of sap using refractometer and measuring the acidity of the materials and finish products using Titratable acidity method and using pH meter, and measuring alcohol levels using ebolliumeter. In addition the producers were taught on simple bottling and labeling of their finished wine.

The experience is an additional know-how on the part of the learners who had been using for decades the traditional method of coconut wine or "bahalina" making. DOST Biliran was passionate on uplifting the level of the products quality by improving the process through the use of improved technology and equipment.

Convergence among national and local partners made the training possible. The Department of Labor Region VIII and Biliran Provincial Office was very supportive of the endeavor and even provided grants for acquisition of improved utensils to the sap gatherers and the wine fermentors amounting to PhP 623,160.00. DOST Region VIII also provided funds amounting to PhP 176,400 for acquisition of equipment and tools that would serve as common service facility for wine production, product quality control, and packing services. LGU Cabucgayan provided the rest of the support including the building and area to house the CSF, the training cost, and other expenses.

Regional Director Exequiel Sarcaoga, of DOLE 8, graced the closing ceremonies of the training by giving his message and distributing the certificates to the 65 members of the group who completed the 4-day training program.