Farmers in Benguet marked the 37th founding anniversary of the Cordillera region with the Potato Harvest Festival in Buguias, Benguet, on July 15. The event received praise from the Department of Agriculture (DA) Undersecretary for High-Value Crops, Cheryl Marie Natividad-Caballero, who lauded the farmers for their dedication.
Undersecretary Caballero commended the farmers for their efforts, highlighting their role as a model Indigenous Peoples (IP) community. She emphasized their cultural identity, collaborative work on small plots of land with high productivity, sustainable farming practices, and the resulting economic development—a true reflection of autonomy.
During the festival, participants harvested potatoes from the third shipment of seeds from Canada, obtained through a partnership between Universal Robina Corporation (URC), the DA, and the United Potato Producers of Benguet and Mountain Province (UPPBMP).
Caballero stressed the government’s role as a facilitator, particularly in managing the potato seed system. She emphasized the importance of community relationships, teamwork, and project ownership fostered through this system. With assistance from the Northern Mindanao Integrated Agricultural Research Center and the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI), advanced technologies like tissue culture and purple potatoes are being utilized to benefit all farmers.
Highlighting Buguias’ potential as a learning center for successful farm management and high-value crops, Caballero underscored the area’s unique climate and soil contributing to its distinct flavors, linking food production with tourism.
Ardan Copas, Manager of UPPBMP, shared the organization’s goal of expanding its 1,000 farmer-member base while stabilizing potato prices and supply. He mentioned that Canadian granola potatoes yield 150% more per kilogram and expressed the organization’s interest in using aeroponics for future potato cultivation.
With support from URC and the DA, eight Benguet potato farmers recently gained insights into potato-growing techniques during a 10-day tour in Prince Edward Island, Canada. This exchange program aims to enhance farming practices and contribute to the agricultural development of the region.
