Recently, the Philippines United Potato Producers of Benguet and Mountain Province Inc. (UPPBMPI) received 135 tons of potato seeds thanks to the assistance of Universal Robina Corp. (URC), the Department of Agriculture (DA), and the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI).

335 farmers received aid from the UPPBMPI, including 268 farmers who received 108 tons of granola from four container vans and 67 farmers who received 27 tons of Dakota Russets (goldrush) potatoes from a container van. Since 2019, the union has received 333 tons. This is the second stage of the initiative that the DA and URC are coordinating to maintain the viability of the potato industry in the area.

The seeds should yield 1,350 tons in four months, followed by an increase of 30% to yield 4,050 tons, with an anticipated total output of 12,000 tons per year.

According to Vicky Yap, vice president of URC, as quoted by the Manila Times, the Sustainable Potato Program is a joint government-private sector initiative aimed at empowering potato farmers to boost harvest yield and income. This is also intended to stabilize the price of highland vegetables, beginning with the potato, which can be stored for extended periods.

Yap also stated that the program aims to contribute to the national potato industry by influencing the multiplication and distribution of potato seeds, as well as to improve farmers’ livelihoods through cooperation with relevant institutions to provide opportunities for farmer capacity building.

In 2022, the total Philippines potato production was 15,117.32 tons. The 2022 total potato area was 2,509.28 ha.