CARP farmers moonlight as bakers, introduce "camote pandesal"
Camote tops, locally called "talbos ng kamote," which could be seen almost anywhere in the country, including vacant lots and the roadside, will soon be used to make pandesal in bakeries established by farmer-beneficiaries of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP).

Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Undersecretary for Legal Affairs Luis Meinrado Pangulayan said the project is part of the department's livelihood program, noting they have already created an agrarian reform beneficiaries' organization in San Miguel, Bula Camarines Sur, tasked to manage bakeries that will serve talbos ng kamote pandesal.
"We would make pandesal with this plant and use them for business and serve them to Filipino families," he maintained.
He pointed out kamote tops are very nutritious inasmuch as they are quite low maintenance and grow faster than malunggay.
"According to research, this plant helps in regulating blood sugar, inhibits the coagulation of the blood, strengthens bones, good for the eyes and improves in menstrual cycles among its other benefits," he said.
Pangulayan explained the move is meant to manifest DAR's efforts to empower CARP beneficiaries.
"The DAR does not just distribute lands to the landless, the department also supports them in their economic empowerment," he said.