Universal Robina Corp. (URC) and the Department of Agriculture (DA) are extending their collaboration to support potato farmers in the Philippines through the Sustainable Potato Program (SPP). The partnership aims to provide farmers in the Cordillera Administrative Region, Northern Mindanao, and Davao with access to quality planting materials, enhanced production practices, and market opportunities.
Over the past five years, the initiative has distributed 506 tons of Granola potato seeds from Canada to over 900 farmers, leading to an estimated production of 23,000 MT of potatoes and generating a minimum gross income of 920 million pesos. This effort has resulted in a 4% increase in national potato production, benefiting 15 farmer organizations.
The program also includes educational components, such as a delegation of farmers from Cordillera visiting Prince Edward Island to learn about potato seed production and farming practices. The DA's commitment includes organizing training on good agricultural practices, seed multiplication, pest and disease management, and marketing, alongside establishing a Program Management Unit (PMU) to oversee implementation. URC, in partnership with Canada Agriculture and Agri-Food and the PEI Potato Board, will continue to provide high-quality seeds and training to farmers, aiming to enhance the potato farming industry's growth and sustainability in the Philippines.
Source: mindanaotimes.com.ph