To ensure the sustainability of potato production in the region, the Universal Robina Corporation (URC) in partnership with the Department of Agriculture – Cordillera (DA-CAR), and Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) facilitated the distribution of 135 tons of potato seed tubers to the United Potato Producers of Benguet and Mountain Province Inc. (UPPBMPI) on March 8, 2023, at La Trinidad, Benguet.
Four (4) container vans consisting of 108 tons of Granola were distributed to 268 farmers, while one (1) container van of Dakota Russets (goldrush) french fries with 27 tons were distributed to 67 farmers, totaling to 335 beneficiaries from the UPPBMPI. In total, the federation has already received 333 tons since 2019. This is the 2nd phase of the program coordinated by DA and URC.
The seedlings are expected to produce a yield of 1,350 tons in four months with a 30% increase after, yielding 4,050 tons, and expected total production of 12,000 tons in a year.
According to Vicky Yap, the Vice President of URC, the Sustainable Potato Program is a collaborative program of the government and private sector that aims to capacitate potato farmers to increase harvest yield and income. This is also to stabilize the price of highland vegetables starting with the potato for a win-win situation with the farmers and consumers, as potatoes can be stored longer.
The program, she added, also aims to contribute to the national potato industry by making an impact in the multiplication and distribution of potato seeds and improving farmers’ livelihood through collaboration with relevant institutions to provide opportunities for capacity building of farmers, “The success of the program was overwhelmingly made possible with the contribution and support of DA through HVCDP, DA-BPI and the stewardship of UPPBMPI,” she expressed.
DA-BPI Director, HVCDP and National Urban and Peri-urban Agriculture Program Concurrent Director Gerald Glenn Panganiban stated that the program is the manifestation of ‘big brother-small brother’ partnership between the private sector, government, and the farmers, and hopes for a bountiful harvest of the crop.
This was echoed by Benguet Governor Melchor D. Diclas as he also advised the farmers to have a part in sharing with the other farmers, “Let us help each other and share so the other farmers can also feel the government’s assistance,” he advised.
Further, DA-CAR Regional Executive Director Cameron P. Odsey acknowledged the continuous effort being done to assist farmers. He also mentioned the challenges faced by the farmers in accessing quality planting materials for potatoes.
Dir. Odsey also hopes for the youth to go back to agriculture, “We have very much potential [in agriculture] for the youth. We look forward to them going back to their communities and being experts in agriculture,” he said in relation to the Benguet State University’s five (5) agriculture student scholars being assisted by the Gokongwei Brothers Foundation, the sister company of the URC.
In his acceptance speech, UPPBMPI Chairman Basilio Copas expressed his gratitude for the additional assistance the farmers had received from the program and hopes to import seedlings on their own in the future because “this is a perennial problem as the farmers always lament that the seedlings are not enough.” He is also hoping for continuous assistance from the government.
Other key officials present were BPI-CAR Superintendent Jesus Aspuria, Regional Agriculture and Fisheries Council Chairperson Ryan U. Palunan, Acting Provincial Agriculturist Delinia D. Juan, and Benguet State University President Felipe S. Comila. By CEWaytan
