Ibit’s Farm in Barangay Masicong, San Fernando, La Union, is known for following organic farming practices. According to Manuel Gurion Acosta, a retired civil engineer who now oversees its operations, the farm grows pinakbet variety vegetables, namely eggplant, okra, and sitaw, to name a few.
Yet, there’s one crop that the farm promotes: blue ternate, also known as Asian pigeonwings or butterfly pea. It has a distinct deep blue color with light yellow markings.
People commonly consume the flowers as tea, as it gives several health benefits, including weight loss, revitalization of skin and hair, and protection from free radicals, among other advantages. However, Acosta shared these can also be consumed as an extra ingredient for rice cakes or battered and deep-fried.
Seeing blue ternate’s commercial demand and success, many local farms began growing the perennial plant–like Ibit’s Farm. Fortunately, it doesn’t take much effort to produce it.
Acosta shared that one of the few things to consider when growing blue ternate is its environment. It has to grow on a trellis in a secure area with moist soil and receives full sun. However, he warns that blue ternate doesn’t thrive under extreme weather conditions.
Typhoons or heavy rains can oversaturate the soil, leaving the plant’s roots waterlogged. And that’s something farmers should avoid.
When grown properly, blue ternate can be a healthy source of vitamins and antioxidants or a profitable produce that can augment farmers’ income.