Transforming a backyard tree into a Filipino superfood for nutrition and food security

In the Bicol region, breadfruit is quietly changing the lives of Bicolanos. More commonly known as “rimas” or “kulo” by the locals, the jackfruit-like fruit is no longer just a backyard tree for many, creating a significant impact with its potential for nutrition and economic empowerment, making way for a food-secure future.

In 2020, Reynan Bobiles, a high school teacher from Albay, gained attention after winning a local cooking competition. The twist? He used breadfruit as a substitute for rice, choosing to use the fruit on purpose to highlight its nutritional benefits and showing its possibilities as an alternative option in the Filipino staple diet. Backing his choice, nutritionist Chi Borromeo further highlighted breadfruit's potential in addressing health concerns, especially for under-nourished children.

The transformation of breadfruit from a backyard tree is not only reshaping how we see this tropical fruit as an alternative to our staple food but also opening new opportunities for agrarian reform beneficiaries and small farmers to secure a new sustainable source of income.

As full of nutritional benefits as it already is, breadfruit is versatile, allowing for many possibilities in the kitchen. Recent studies see the use of breadfruit flour and starch for pastries and other baked goods such as cookies, biscuits, and breads.

Aside from being a potential substitute for rice, using breadfruit as an ingredient to replace flour in baking, whether 100% breadfruit or mixed with other ingredients, ushers a new era of culinary possibilities that positively influence the production of healthier food products.

For agrarian reform beneficiaries, this is more than a new culinary discovery—it is also a potential source of income. With endless dishes they can make and experiment with using breadfruit, farmers have the chance to grow breadfruit as a harvest crop and sell it as a valuable commodity.

Ultimately, the benefits of breadfruit culminate in its potential for sustainability. It is a game-changer not just for our diets and sources of income but also for our agricultural landscapes. As a tropical country, often vulnerable to the effects of climate change, the versatility and cost-effectiveness of growing breadfruit as a crop can enhance climate resilience and sustainability in the agricultural sector.

Now, what was once a hidden gem in our backyards is on track to become a crucial element in a healthier, eco-friendly, and economically empowering future for Filipino farmers and consumers.