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RAISING YIELDS. Potato farmers from Bukidnon showing their bountiful harvests. The Department of Agriculture and Universal Robina Corp. (URC) agreed in 2018 to work together to provide farmers with quality potato seeds, training, and research access. Potato yields from the program have grown by more than fivefold since then. (Photo courtesy of URC) MANILA - Potato farmers have found a lifeline in a project initiated by Universal Robina Corp. (URC) with the government, allowing them to thrive amid a devastating pandemic. In support of the Duterte administration's major initiative of fostering a more productive and progressive agriculture sector through inclusive growth and sustainable development, URC, one of the country's largest food firms, and the Department of Agriculture agreed in 2018 to work together to provide farmers with quality potato seeds, training, and research access. Since then, potato yields from the program have grown by more than fivefold. "Despite the pandemic, we were able to produce a million kilos, thanks to this program," said Ardan Copas, head of the United Potato Cooperative in Benguet. Farmers are now able to harvest 10 to 15 kilos a year out of a kilo of seeds from just three to four kilos previously. Last year, they were able to harvest some 1,258 metric tons of potatoes. That has helped tide them over amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic that has disrupted food supply chains. It also guaranteed a stable supply of potatoes for consumers. URC has been providing imported Granola potato seeds from Canada to farming communities in Benguet, Mt. Province, Bukidnon, and Davao del Sur under the "Sustainable Potato Program". Last year, the company was able to donate up to 135 metric tons (MT) of Granola Elite 3 table potato seeds imported from Canada to over 1,000 farmers. "These were really quality seeds, and have been a big help for us," Copas said. He said his group had been able to sell their potatoes for PHP30 to PHP35 a kilo. Gabriel Bandao, head of the Imbayao Community Participatory Action Research Association, said farmers in Imbayao town, in Bukidnon, were able to sell nearly 10,000 kilos of potatoes at PHP65 to PHP70 a kilo. "The program helped 100 percent of farmers here in Imbayao. That's why we are very thankful to URC. They've helped us improve our yield and, with it, our lives," he said. Cooperatives participating in the program have also received quality training, as well as access to the latest research and technology on potato farming. In 2019, a group of farmers went on a five-day course in Canada as part of URC's collaboration with the Prince Edwards Island Potato Board. There, they learned new techniques on seeding and planting, soil management, storage and other key practices. "This initiative has been a win for everyone. Farmers get the resources they need to weather the pandemic. There is a boost in efforts to promote high-value crops like potato. URC, meanwhile, realizes its goals under its people- and planet-friendly strategy," Laurent Levan, URC's SVP for Corporate Development & External Affairs, said. Levan said the Sustainable Potato Program is part of URC's move towards becoming a global sustainable organization. "Our company is building its sustainability roadmap alongside the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. This includes responsible sourcing, production, consumption and developing the capabilities of communities for better livelihood," he added. (PR) }

Related Keywords

Manila ,Philippines ,Canada ,Davao Del Sur ,Bukidnon ,Sagay City ,Benguet ,Masbate ,Ardan Copas ,Laurent Levan ,Gabriel Bandao ,United Potato Cooperative In Benguet ,Sustainable Potato Program ,Department Of Agriculture ,Imbayao Community Participatory Action Research Association ,Robina Corp ,United Nations Sustainable Development Goals ,Corporate Development External Affairs ,Universal Robina ,United Potato Cooperative ,Granola Elite ,Prince Edwards Island Potato ,Corporate Development ,External Affairs ,United Nations Sustainable Development ,Raising Yields Potato Farmers From Bukidnon Showing Their Bountiful Harvests The Department Of Agriculture And Universal Robina Corp Urc Agreed In 2018 To Work Together Provide With Quality Seeds ,Training ,Nd Research Access Potato Yields From The Program Have Grown By More Than Fivefold Since Then Photo Courtesy Of Urc Manila Farmers Founda Lifeline Ina Project Initiated Universal Robina Corp With Government ,Llowing Them To Thrive Amida Devastating Pandemic In Support Of The Duterte Administration 39s Major Initiative Fosteringa More Productive And Progressive Agriculture Sector Through Inclusive Growth Sustainable Development ,Parc ,Ne Of The Country 39s Largest Food Firms ,Nd The Department Of Agriculture Agreed In 2018 To Work Together Provide Farmers With Quality Potato Seeds ,Nd Research Access Since Then ,Otato Yields From The Program Have Grown By More Than Fivefold Quot Despite Pandemic ,E Were Able To Producea Million Kilos ,Hanks To This Program ,Uot Said Ardan Copas ,Ead Of The United Potato Cooperative In Benguet Farmers Are Now Able To Harvest 10 15 Kilosa Year Out Ofa Kilo Seeds From Just Three Four Kilos Previously Last ,Hey Were Able To Harvest Some 1 ,258 Metric Tons Of Potatoes That Has Helped Tide Them Over Amid The Coronavirus Disease 2019 Covid 19 Pandemic Disrupted Food Supply Chains It Also Guaranteeda Stable For Consumers Urc Been Providing Imported Granola Potato Seeds From Canada To Farming Communities In Benguet ,T Province ,Nd Davao Del Sur Under The Quot Sustainable Potato Program Last Year ,He Company Was Able To Donate Up 135 Metric Tons Mt Of Granola Elite 3 Table Potato Seeds Imported From Canada Over 1 ,000 Farmers Quot These Were Really Quality Seeds ,Nd Have Beena Big Help For Us ,Uot Copas Said He His Group Had Been Able To Sell Their Potatoes For Php30 Php35a Kilo Gabriel Bandao ,Ead Of The Imbayao Community Participatory Action Research Association ,Aid Farmers In Imbayao Town ,N Bukidnon ,Ere Able To Sell Nearly 10 ,000 Kilos Of Potatoes At Php65 To Php70a Kilo Quot The Program Helped 100 Percent Farmers Here In Imbayao That 39s Why We Are Very Thankful Urc They 39 Ve Us Improve Our Yield And ,Dewith It ,Four Lives ,Uot He Said Cooperatives Participating In The Program Have Also Received Quality Training ,S Well As Access To The Latest Research And Technology On Potato Farming In 2019 ,A Group Of Farmers Went Ona Five Day Course In Canada As Part Urc 39s Collaboration With The Prince Edwards Island Potato Board There ,Hey Learned New Techniques On Seeding And Planting ,Soil Management ,Torage And Other Key Practices Quot This Initiative Has Beena Win For Everyone Farmers Get The Resources They Need To Weather Pandemic There Isa Boost In Efforts Promote High Value Crops Like Potato Urc ,Eanwhile ,Ealizes Its Goals Under People And Planet Friendly Strategy ,Uot Laurent Levan ,Rc 39s Svp For Corporate Development Amp External Affairs ,Aid Levan Said The Sustainable Potato Program Is Part Of Urc 39s Move Towards Becominga Global Organization Quot Our Company Building Its Sustainability Roadmap Alongside United Nations Development Goals This Includes Responsible Sourcing ,Production ,Onsumption And Developing The Capabilities Of Communities For Better Livelihood ,Uot He Added Pr ,

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