Alternative to rice: Government aims to modernize potato farming
Yellow Potatoes – Contributed photo
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Agriculture (DA) has organized teams that are focused on increasing potato farmers’ income through technology and modern farming practices.
The DA issued Special Order No. 596 convening a program management group (PMG) and a technical working group (TWG) to implement the Potato Program (SPP).
Introduced in 2019, this initiative seeks to boost the profitability of potato farmers by adopting advanced technologies, establishing sustainable potato seed systems, modernizing agricultural practices and strengthening potato farmers’ organizations.
Based on the special order, the PMG will set the policy direction and guidance for the TWG as well as concerned industry stakeholders such as anchor cooperatives, partners and beneficiaries.
The group will review project documents, including the program framework and Gantt chart, a project management tool that outlines project tasks and corresponding timelines. This is to ensure effective and timely implementation.
It will also provide capacity-building opportunities and technical advice to farmers, including Good Agricultural Practices, seed multiplication, pest and disease management, storage, handling and marketing, as well as support potato-related research and farming innovations.
In turn, the TWG will prepare the framework for the SPP and ensure the efficient processing of documents, including import clearance or permit applications.
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Alternative staple
The TWG is tasked with conducting an ocular inspection of the identified seed production sites and field visits, along with providing recommendations for expansion areas to complete the seed production life cycle.
Aside from preparing activity reports and document milestones, it is responsible for preparing an exit plan for farmers cooperatives and associations (FCAs) to take on the expansion and commercialization.
Representatives from FCAs and the private sector may be invited to engage in this undertaking.
The DA previously cited the potential of potatoes as an alternative to rice, a staple food among Filipino households, among the most important food crops in the world, as so many dishes can be made with potatoes such as table potatoes, chips and French fries.
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As part of the SPP implementation, the DA entered into a five-year memorandum of agreement with the Gokongwei Group’s food manufacturing arm, Universal Robina Corp., in July last year.
“The agreement aims to establish reliable seeds systems, capacitate potato farmers organizations and boost farm productivity and farmers’ income in top potato-producing regions,” the agency had said in a statement.
