Branding of products and produce, not contest or competition, is the key to a better life.

Rep. Erico Aristotle Aumentado said he will push for branding in Bohol’s 2^nd District.

Each town will focus on one product that is in demand not only in the local market, but in the regional and national markets as well.

“Producing the same product will lead to competition and overproduction that will tend to drive prices down,” Aumentado said.

He is bullish for one town producing say, lemon grass or tanglad in plantation proportions. Its essential oil, he said, is a most sought after ingredient for perfume. Producing the oil will be easy because the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) already has the know-how and can teach farmers the extraction process, he explained.

The next town may produce say, cacao, because chocolate will never go out of style. The demand is high for it as a beverage, or as tongue-teasers, especially for children.

Another product in demand is coconut sugar. Being natural, this will not spike the blood glucose of diabetics or have the side effects of artificial sweeteners.

The current supply in Bohol is imported from Negros Island and Cagayan de Oro, he said. While the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) in Bohol already produces coconut sugar, the volume is too small and it is not yet selling.

Only through branding will production of varied products have a direct impact on the lives of farmers, the solon said.

He cited the “massive” production of copra on which local farmers have so long been dependent. When copra prices drop, the small coconut farmers immediately feel the pinch.

They will continue to do so, he warned, unless they shift into producing coconut sugar and start exporting it to other provinces. (June S. Blanco)