During the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the DA and Universal Robina Corporation (URC) on July 29, 2024, Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. expressed confidence in the potential of potatoes as a source of carbohydrate and an alternative to rice, making it a valuable crop for addressing food needs of the Filipinos.

“I am very hopeful na magtuloy-tuloy ito, kasi kailangan natin ng alternative sa bigas, and potato is one of the best solutions available to us today. Maraming puwedeng gawin sa patatas, from the normal table potatoes to local chips, then French fries, etc,” he said.

He added that he has already approved the implementation of the potato seed tissue culture program, which will significantly boost potato production in the country.

“Baka by June next year, may produksyon na itong tissue culture na ito to produce 2 more million seedlings. This should be able to increase iyong hectarage natin with 6,600 hectares to additional 2,000 hectares,” he stated.

The DA and the Universal Robina Corporation—the food manufacturing arm of the Gokongwei Group—signed a five-year MOA to jointly establish and continue the Sustainable Potato Program (SPP). 

The SPP, which began in 2019, seeks to develop dependable seed systems, strengthen potato farmers’ organizations, and boost farm productivity and incomes. Under the MOA, DA regional offices and URC will collaborate to identify and select farmers’ groups for capacity building, training in good agricultural practices, seed multiplication, pest and disease management, storage, handling, and marketing.### (Ira Y. Cruz, DA-AFID)