Potato farmers from Benguet, the Philippines have doubled their yields by using potato seeds from Canada, according to the Department of Agriculture (DA) which was cited by BusinessWorld.

Farmers reported an average of 20 metric tons which at PHP30 per kilo could earn them up to PHP600,000 in just three months and 10 days, noted Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel F. Piñol.

The seed variety was introduced through the Potato Development Program of the DA in partnership with Universal Robina Corp (URC). Through the collaboration, 100 metric tons of G-3 potato planting materials from Prince Edward Island in Canada were brought into the country. These were distributed in March this year to farmers across Benguet.

Part of the agreement is for URC, a subsidiary of JG Summit Holdings, to purchase medium-sized potatoes, while the large varieties will be sold in the open market. Robinsons Supermarket, also under JR Summit, will purchase some of the produce. The DA and URC are also looking into importing a potato variety for the production of URC’s potato chips brand.