It’s been years since I visited a farmland (I guess the last time was during my high school days at my Mom’s coconut farm).
Somehow I know the life in rural areas and am telling you, I never regret having it. In fact, there are times that am literally missing it, especially when I need an immediate escape from the buzzing busy life of the city jungle, and needs a refreshing reboot.
Rural life is beautiful. It might have that flickering lights at night and modernization around, however its beauty is so unique that you will keep on longing for it.
And who would say NO for this kind of beauty in the morning?
I would be called insane for declining it!
Few weeks ago, I was invited by our friends from Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)- Center for International Trade and Expositions and Missions (CITEM) for a day of immersion at one of the organic farm in the country called Japan-Philippines Malunggay(JPM) Eco Farm. Located at the beautiful town of Bay, Laguna our team drove to the south to explore some of their stakeholders and that includes the JPM Eco Farm.
JPM Eco Farm is not any other ordinary farm that I’ve visited for years. This farm is producing special niche of produce – organic moringa, or locally known to us as malunggay. With a total of 12 hectares of moringa farm land, Japan-Philippines Malunggay (JPM) Eco Farm is proudly producing organic moringa, and turn these to various products such as moringa tea, moringa capsules as food supplements, moringa skincare and others.
We had a chance to interview the Owner and President of JPM Eco Farm, Inc. Ms. Genara Olais Matsuoka. Our team was humbly welcomed in their humble office with their welcome refreshment of cold moringa tea, one of their best selling products.
Inside their humble JPM Eco Farm office
I’ve never met as humble and as passionate to her work like Ms. Matsuoka. During the course of our interview I could truly feel her passion to her works, to her staffs, to managing her eco-farm, and to producing high quality of organic moringa products.
For many years, I know malunggay/moringa as a healthy vegetables we have always in my Mom’s backyard. We usually treat it as humble means of friendship. In our childhood place, I’ve noticed back then that every homes have couples of moringa trees, and it is a norm that neighbours occasionally ask for some moringa leaves for their day’s meal or to be used as a mixture to a newborn’s morning bath. You see, I find that moringa is a medium of communication that connects the community.
And I was astonished when Ms. Matsuoka shared as the many valuable health benefits moringa could give us. Moringa is known as one of those super foods available. Ms. Matsuoka explained that moringa is famous all over the world, with India as one of the main suppliers of moringa. She has been using moringa for personal and family consumption, and she could personally attest the wonderful benefits it gives.
In other parts of the globe, moringa are sold like hotcakes which makes Ms. Matsuoka wonder at first why moringa is not that popular here in our tropical country. Our country is an ideal place to grow moringa trees and the opportunity is huge.
Moringa capsules as food supplements and moringa oil for hair and skin care.
Moringa leaves and pods are nutritional powerhouse that provides a great range and amount of essential proteins, vitamins and minerals. It is a rich source of essential amino acids, which are the building blocks of proteins. It also contains a significant amount of vitamins such as vitamin A, vitamin B1 (thiamine), vitamin B2 (riboflavin), vitamin B3 (niacin), vitamin B-6, folate and vitamin C (ascorbic acid). It also contains minerals such as calcium, potassium, iron, magnesium, phosphorous and zinc. Moringa contains very low amount of fats and offers no harmful cholesterol.
So no matter how many liters of moringa juice you chug will be alright and wouldn’t give you any harm. On the contrary, it will give you more benefits!
So no matter how many liters of moringa juice you chug will be alright and wouldn’t give you any harm. On the contrary, it will give you more benefits!
There many benefits of including moringa that is very beneficial to our health lifestyle.
• It helps to relief stomach disorders, and some allergies.
• It helps to relief stomach disorders, and some allergies.
• The moringa powder aids in liver protection, diabetes, eye protection, cardiovascular health, bone health and urolithiasis.
• Also helps in wound healing, healthy hair, and skin care.
• Also rich in antibacterial and antifungal properties that helps to fight against infections.
• Also helps on effectively prevents you on various medical conditions such as cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, bronchial asthma, sickle cell disease, and nephrotoxicity.
• Also good to prevent high cholesterol, high blood pressure, anemia and obesity, as well as helping to build a strong immune system.
OMG Moringa is indeed a superfood! No wonder my Mom used to feed as moringa regularly.
Ms. Matsuoka became more passionate with moringa, because of her Japanese husband who have health difficulty. Combined with her passion on moringa and the Japanese ways on farming, she and her team decided to build this organic ecofarm, also with the help of the local agriculture, health and farming experts. Her goal to is promote the advocacy of using organic products such as organic moringa, and that includes her passion on teaching numbers of local moringa farmers on how to cultivate their farm up to the process of harvesting, etc.
Ms. Matsuoka became more passionate with moringa, because of her Japanese husband who have health difficulty. Combined with her passion on moringa and the Japanese ways on farming, she and her team decided to build this organic ecofarm, also with the help of the local agriculture, health and farming experts. Her goal to is promote the advocacy of using organic products such as organic moringa, and that includes her passion on teaching numbers of local moringa farmers on how to cultivate their farm up to the process of harvesting, etc.
With the help of constant research and studies, JPM Eco Farm is now a certified organic farm, meaning no fertilizers are used in cultivating their farm and produce.
Each plot of land has this sign which indicates the number of moringa trees planted, when it was planted, and other details including who is the in-charge farmer of each plant. JPM Eco Farm is using the Japanese technique of farming which are closely monitored by each farmer.
We arrived during the harvesting time of moringa. In this section of farm, moringa that are intended for teas and capsules are harvested when it reach its ideal growth height, and cutting the moringa trees, so that it could grow some new leaves again.
The harvested moringa leaves are being processed on the same day after harvesting to ensure its freshness.
We are also lucky enough to have a look inside their moringa preparation area.
But first we need to wear this hair cap because the facility strictly observed cleanliness, and hair falls are huge NO NO.
Before entering the facility, we make sure we comply to their standard operating procedures, and that includes making sure our hands are super clean!
This place is their processing area.
Now this is their drying area. It is literally so hot, hotter than having a sun bathing along the beach. No wonder we are sweating a lot like we are inside the sauna.
These dried moringa leaves are now brought to the next facility for preparation or moringa tea and powder.
Here’s another facility. Unauthorized personnel are not allowed inside, and we just watch them afar with this glass window. This is where they packed and sealed the moringa products, all airtight to ensure the freshness of moringa.
Then we visit their stockroom where all the products are being stored. Those black curtains helps to prevent the sunlight on getting through the products which affects discoloration.
These are the products being produced by JPM Eco Farm. If they supply of moringa leaves are not enough to fill the orders, Ms. Matsuoka have contacts with other JPM-accredited organic moringa farms located in the provinces to supply them the rest.
All their products are FDA-approved, and also have licensed and certification at JAS Control Union Certifications, USDA Organic certified, and soon to be Halal certified.
Visiting the farm makes me feel more connected to the nature and also I could feel the strong pride they have on organic moringa ecofarm. We are so blessed to witness all of those and now gained more understanding the value of moringa, as well as the passion on farming.
I believe we should help to bring back that pride to fellow Filipinos because in farming, the opportunities are very huge!
Pun intended, Ms. Matsuoka told us that “if only Popeye eats more moringa than spinach, probably he would be stronger than ever.”
LOL.
With moringa as superfood, I strongly agree with her.
She also conducts seminars and talks about organic farming, and moringa cultivation so feel free to contact her and I’m encouraging you to visit their farm in Laguna!
For more information about moringa, contact Japan-Philippines Malunggay (JPM) Eco Farm.
JPM Eco Farm, Inc.
Purok 2, Brgy. Tranca, Bay, Laguna Philippines
(+63) 928-373-2999 / (+63) 994-9745
Email: matgen_08@yahoo.com
http://jp-moringa.com
Purok 2, Brgy. Tranca, Bay, Laguna Philippines
(+63) 928-373-2999 / (+63) 994-9745
Email: matgen_08@yahoo.com
http://jp-moringa.com
I prefer to live in a busier location, but I love visiting rural areas, particularly farms, often as a great escape! I'm not familiar with moringa, but it's something I plan to research a little more!
ReplyDeleteHaving both life (rural and city life) is awesome!
DeleteDear better check the moringa because its the superfood that we all need!
I have used moringa before. It is cool to see how it is grown.
ReplyDeleteThat's great!
DeleteWhy did you stop using moringa?
I'm quite curious to learn more about moringa, its benefits and the way it's cultivated in this organic farm. This certainly sounds like a lovely trip to have!
ReplyDeleteI learned a lot from this lady boss!
DeleteHer passion on her work and moringa is unbeatable :)
Your mom has a coconut farm, that's cool. I love farms especially special once where they grow wine. lol
ReplyDeleteYeah, but I rarely visit that coconut farm. My uncle is now managing it for us.
DeleteOne in my list if to visit vineyard and cacao farms. Moringa farm is now a huge CHECK in my list!
Oh wow I bet this was such an interesting tour I have to admit I didn't know what an eco farm really was.
ReplyDeleteYou never been to a farm Sarah?
DeleteIts not yet too late! You should try to visit some farm near you and enjoy the simple beauty of nature.
The science behind organic farming is so fascinating! I recently took an organic farm tour and can see why folks in other industries are becoming farmers.
ReplyDeleteThat's awesome Karyn! How's your farm tour experience?
DeleteI haven't gone to a working farm since being a child. I wouldn't mind going to see a farm now as an adult. It would be a nice learning experience.
ReplyDeleteYou should try Rose because farming is the new IT!
DeleteThis farm looks so gorgeous and I would love to try the Moringa tea. We do not have it in the UK, I think, but does sound tasty!
ReplyDeleteHello Ashvin,
DeleteWhen you visit here in the Philippines, you can contact the JPM Eco Farm for a moringa tour! They also offer trainings and seminars about organic moringa farming :)
I had never heard of moringa before and now I'm intrigued! The farm you visited is beautiful.
ReplyDeleteHello Helene,
DeleteOhh now this is the start that you should learn about this superfood moringa. Easy to plant and cultivate plus will give you awesome nutrients for your body.
This does look like a beautiful morning! Your pictures are simply amazing, the farm looks so peaceful and full of green life!
ReplyDeleteI find it heavenly Jenn!
DeleteHow cool! I always love to explore farms. This one looks fabulous. So cool that this one is eco friendly.
ReplyDeleteYeah, they don't use fertilizers so this farm is organic!
Deletewow, organic moringa farms..enjoyed reading it , wish I too had a chance to visit such farm, love such visits. Great photos as well.
ReplyDeleteThank you Jhilmil!
DeleteThis is a huge eco-farm! I'm so jelly - wish I can visit the farm. It looks like you're having a good time. It's good to know the benefits of morigna leaves. Great post!
ReplyDeleteThank you Sharon! After my visit I'm now so curious of learning more about moringa, and now enjoying drinking moringa tea, and moringa food supplements.
DeleteNice place. Is it just me, or the president/owner looks mean.
ReplyDeleteon the contrary, she isn't. One of the humble boss we've met. Check the video below!
DeleteI would love to go explore JPM Eco Farm. I am always looking for organic products to try.
ReplyDeleteThat's awesome Claudia! Hope you could visit the Philippines soon because we have many kinds of farm!
DeleteAs someone who is trying to do more to decrease her impact on the environment and be more eco-friendly it makes me happy to hear about this eco farm tour . Especially since the owner is so passionate about her venture!
ReplyDeleteI agree with you Ana :D
DeleteWow! This looks like a beautiful place. I'm sure the photos don't even do it justice. I have never heard of moringa. This post was very informative. Thanks for sharing!!
ReplyDeleteHello Marie,
DeleteI bet once you've tried moringa, you'll never look back!
The whole place is so full of greeneries! Will be great for family outing as well
ReplyDeleteExactly! At the early age, it is best to teach kids the value of good food and how it cultivated and harvested.
DeleteThis is so neat seeing such a beautiful farm from an insider's view! I really love that she is teaching others about organic farming!
ReplyDeleteYeah and we are so amazed. She is not feeling threaten that there are might some who will take advantage of her generosity. Truly, she and her company is blessed!
DeleteI love visiting farms. This one looks absolutely beautiful. I have not heard of moringa before now.
ReplyDeleteIts a nutritious plant that is also called a superfood. And it can grows anywhere!
DeleteYou're right. It's always good to spend some time by the rural side. It's so nice that you got the chance to witness the harvesting and processing of moringa leaves. I love your picture in the farm sporting that hat. Cheers!!
ReplyDeleteThank you dear! I love that hat, and I think I will bring it along with me for every trip.
DeleteSeems like an awesome place for a day's out! and to learn something new too!
ReplyDeleteExactly Nithya! I bet moringa is also growing in your community, and you never noticed it :)
DeleteMoringa sounds like something I would love to try after reading this! I am all about healthy natural food ( vegan too woohoo!) I will have to check it out asap!
ReplyDeleteOhh you'll gonna love it! You can cooked these moringa leaves with coconut oil, then add with roasted chicken or fish, then voila!
DeleteI love this kind of tour. Moringa indeed have good benefit out of it.
ReplyDeleteHigh five on that Cindy!
DeleteSuch a great experience! The scenery is so beautiful too <3
ReplyDeleteThanks Iman! I also wish to visit one of the farms in Malaysia.. Please someone invite me in!
DeleteSuch an educating one haha I didn't know the existence of moringa before this, should introduce it to my mum hhahaa
ReplyDeleteThat's great dear! Thank you!
DeleteLooks like you had a great time on the tour! The photos are stunning!
ReplyDeleteThank you Jessica. Yes I had a great and memorable time!
DeleteOh my god this is brilliant! I really love its scenery - so exquisite to be real, not mention all the health and environmental benefits it offers! Thanks for your recommendation, and thanks for the photos too!
ReplyDeleteI am happy that you it and learned something from my post.
DeleteI'd love to have a day escaping from the bustling city and go to the country and experience something like this. This farm is so wonderful. Thanks to the post, now I have new knowledge about benefits of Moringa.
ReplyDeleteIt's my pleasure Hannah :D
DeleteThank you for educating me on moringa. I love farms and the beauty that nature provides. This farm looks amazing and it is great to see people passionate about what they do.
ReplyDeleteI am glad that you learned a lot! I have many travel stories that will share very soon, so keep in touch!
DeleteThis looks like such a beautiful place. I love being out in the fresh air and outdoors.
ReplyDeleteHave you been to any farm recently? Share us your story!
DeleteI bet this was an interesting tour! I love anything eco-friendly, so this would be super fun for me.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely yes! I'm a happy kid.
DeleteI have never been to a farm before. I didn`t know about Moringa and all of its benefits so I am looking forward to try it.
ReplyDeleteOh dear, you are missing a lot in life! Better plan your visit to any farm because it is worth the trip.
DeleteMoringa is super healthy, a lot of. It's good to know they had a farm, cultivating them and creating supplemental meds and other very useful products from it.
ReplyDeleteThank you for visiting dear :)
DeleteI love countryside and visting farms! This one is so well organized, beautiful and interesting to see how they work and produce their products!
ReplyDeleteThank you Chiara for appreciating!
DeleteWhat a cool experience! I had honestly not heard of moringa until this post! You learn something new every day. :) I grew up on a small farm in a very rural area and now that I've been living in cities for a few years, I have really come to miss it as well. It is so beautiful and relaxing, and I didn't always appreciate that when I was younger. :)
ReplyDeleteHello Lindsey,
DeleteIts time to go back once in a while to rural life, because its beautiful!
It does look like such a beautiful farm. And it's great that they are so eco conscious. I have never heard about Moringa before. I will have to check out where I can find the product and give it a go.
ReplyDeleteyou'll gonna like the benefits of moringa David!
DeleteNothing beats the fresh air and the best nature view at the farms...
ReplyDeleteThis turns out a very informative post on Moringa.
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Thank you Venus!
Deletecute post and i must say once an island girl (and for your case rural girl) one will always be and i'm loving it!i travel a lot but i always find myself missing my island life where there's no cinema or malls but just the simple life! www.crayonized.com
ReplyDeleteI agree! No cinema and malls, and I go gaga on books!
DeleteI enjoyed reading about this blog, love your writing as I know how fun farm tours could get especially when there's a strong passionate woman behind the success of the farm. Would love to meet her soon and now dying to visit the farm!
ReplyDeleteWe know that Malunggay is a superfood! Now, we really have to eat this everyday! ❤️
Thank you dear! Malunggay is also good for digestion! My Mom loves to cook it for us, we don't mind eating it regularly.
DeleteI use magical Moringa from Lush and I absolutely love it. I am sure it is nothing like you would find here but pretty cool to hear the background story. Anything ECO friendly is okay in my book!
ReplyDeleteThank you Tatum!
DeleteI will try that LUSH Moringa soon.
The JPM Eco Farm sounds like an interesting place to visit for sure. I would love to visit here and try some of their products that I have never heard of before. Thanks for sharing your awesome experience.
ReplyDeleteHope you can visit soon Rebecca!
DeleteI've come across moringa in health supplements but never gave it much thought. With your post, at least now I know what it is, how it is grown and of course, its benefits!
ReplyDeleteThanks Emily! Let's help to promote the benefits of having moringa to our daily eating lifestyle.
DeleteHeard a lot of positive thibgs said about moringa.. would love to get me some for supplement consumption
ReplyDeleteYeah better try it Miera and you'll be the judge.
DeleteI have never heard of the brand Moringa before, but I am loving what I hear! I love all of the added health benefits it can have! Also, I as well love being in farmland! The peace and quiet is the best! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteHello Nicole,
DeleteFirst, moringa is NOT A BRAND. It is a name of a leafy plant/vegetable.
That looks cool. First I thought its a wineyard! Well, I didn't know drumstick is also called moringa. Its a staple here in India!
ReplyDeleteOHH moringa is also called drumstick?! That's cool!
DeleteI miss malunggay. It has been years since the last time I had some in my soups.
ReplyDeleteohh better to start hunting for this superfood!
DeleteThis looks like so much fun - I love exploring places like this and learning how it works.
ReplyDeleteHave you visited a farm recently?
DeleteThe pictures look absolutely stunning, it makes me want to also go on a farm tour haha!
ReplyDeleteViola xo | A Piece of Viola
Thank you for visiting Viola! You'll gonna love it and also the moringa.
DeleteNice post! I grew up in the countryside and I know how many herbs and different natural remedies one can obtain straight from mother nature. Would love to visit this place :)
ReplyDeleteThank you Tom! Hope you'll visit the Philippines very soon.
DeleteIt sounds like you really enjoyed your day! Good to hear about the health benefits of moringa
ReplyDeleteHope that you'll include moringa to your healthy lifestyle.
DeleteNice experience you have! I love the greenery and able to experience it, seems like a good experience! I want to visit farm too =) Moringa is a really healthy plants =)
ReplyDeleteThank you Sharon! Yeah you can contact the JPM Eco Farm for your visit.
DeleteWonderful to see countries grow in a natural way.
ReplyDeleteI agree, and I wish many places will grow moringa!
Deletewow the farm..looking so instagram worthy everywhere! haha. so good
ReplyDeleteI know right?! Huge shout out for Instagramers!!!
DeleteI've been to a farm in the Netherlands. But that's so different. This visit looks great. A very interesting tour and great that you got the chance to speak to them. I've never used Moringa, but I loved reading about it. It definitely has my interest now. It's interesting to see the process of making the products!
ReplyDeleteHello Carola,
DeleteThank you dear! And I hope you include moringa to your lifestyle :)
It sounds like you had quite a learning experience! I have heard of moringa from friends in India but we don't have it here in Canada. I learned a lot reading your post!
ReplyDeleteOh maybe you can ask your friend to transport moringa seeds to you!
DeleteWow that looks very interesting!! I enjoyed reading all the details
ReplyDeleteThank you Hannah. More stories very soon!
DeleteWhat an interesting visit, I've heard a lot regarding this plant and I've tested it before, it's really good.
ReplyDeleteAnd its best in our body :)
DeleteI would love togo and see mooring moringa farm too. In my wishlist too.
ReplyDeleteThank you Ika! Hope to see you hear in the Philippines.
DeleteWhat a lovely experience! Great shots :-)
ReplyDeleteThank you dear! Keep on exploring my page :)
DeleteLol that video hahaha
ReplyDeleteHAHAHA Thanks we had a great time interviewing her. She is very humble boss.
DeleteDidn't know much about Moringa until I read your blog post. It's so nice to be able to see the farm.
ReplyDeleteThank you Linda. Moringa is good for any ages :)
DeleteI've never done a farm tour, but I would love to do something like that. It looks so lovely and I think I would learn alot.
ReplyDeleteThank you Aireona, let us know when you'll be doing a farm tour!
DeleteI'll buy a farm land soon like this...
ReplyDeletein my dreams! Haha :)
This is so nice. I'm so excited for our farm tour next week!
If you are dreaming to have your own farm, then why not buy your for your own?
DeleteGood luck for your farm tour, keep us updated!
Very interesting I learnt something new today :) thank for sharing
ReplyDeleteYou are always welcome here Tina!
DeleteI've heard of Moringa, but haven't looked too much into it. It's interesting to learn that an organic farm like this exists in the Philippines. I'm very much into health products recently, I think I'll be spending some time researching moringa and its available products! 😆
ReplyDeleteThank you dear! Let's spread the wide benefits of having moringa into our lifestyle.
DeleteI used to drink moringa supplements to increase the supply of my breastmilk. And here I am, 28 months and counting in my breastfeeding journey. :)
ReplyDeleteYeah I also heard that info from the old folks back home. Am now taking the moringa food supplements and I am happy to say that its good for me.
DeleteWow! We have lots of farms at home but not as many as this! This is wonderful! It's been a while since visited a farm too but we're going home in December so, time to visit again. :)
ReplyDeleteThat's great! Tell us more about your farm tour soon :)
DeleteSuch a great feeling to be surrounded with fresh and organic moringa.
ReplyDeleteI agree. Thank you for visiting dear :)
DeleteIn recent years, Moringa has become even more popular. I drink the tea every day and, while I can't say that it does anything for me, it is a good product to try. I enjoyed seeing where it is grown and packaged... Great photos and report.
ReplyDeleteThank you Eliz!
DeleteThis is so promising. I really hope this endeavor will be successful not only in terms of the country's economic boost but also in terms of bringing awareness on its health benefits.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you Mitchelle. That's why the lady boss is very passionate on sharing her knowledge about the moringa farming to help boost the local industry.
DeleteWow! An eco-farm sounds amazing and something I would love to check out and give my support! This is something I would love to get a tour of with my kids too! It's so important to teach our kids the importance of farms like this!
ReplyDeleteThank you Katriza! I agree, kids will love the farm tour!
DeleteReally nice post. I love to see a traditional farm nowadays. If it were closer I would go visit.
ReplyDeleteThank you for visiting dear! You already reach the place thru my blog :)
DeleteIs that farm open for the public to visit? I'd like to visit it one of these days.
ReplyDeleteHi Peachy,
DeleteYes! You may email the owner directly :)
Cool, I learned a fair bit here that I simply didn't know before. I definitely agree with your sentiment about needing to find that escape sometimes from the concrete jungle of the city. Sometimes we just need time away from all the chaos, and a natural setting gives us that reprieve.
ReplyDeleteYeah, there are many things that only nature can help us heal.
DeleteInteresting and I learnt so much. First of all, I never knew India is the largest producer and supplier of Moringa leaves and it is such a power pack. It's health benefits are really huge and now need to check with my mother from where I can get it.
ReplyDeleteI am glad that you learned a lot. Moringa is very easy to plant, have it in your home!
DeleteI've used Moringa a lot of times and its quite healthy. Its interesting to see how it is grown and cultivated in this organic farm.
ReplyDeleteThat's cool Vedante, glad you are also using moringa.
DeleteIt is safe for breastfeeding mom?
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely yes because they are natural and no preservatives. It's moringa / malunggay :D
Deletewhere or how can i order?
ReplyDeletePlease contact the email provided above :D
DeleteI've been dreaming of managing one someday. Ang ganda :) <3
ReplyDeleteYes! Farming is the newest trending business :)
Delete