Universal Robina Corporation (URC) and the Department of Agriculture (DA) have committed to continuing the Sustainable Potato Program (SPP), which seeks to boost the Philippines’ production of this essential crop. Initiated in 2019, the program has already made significant improvements in potato farming and overall farm productivity in the country.
Under the renewed partnership, URC, one of the country’s largest food and beverage firms, and the DA will continue providing potato farmers in the Cordillera Administrative Region, Northern Mindanao, and Davao access to farm inputs, training, and market opportunities for an additional five years.
“Since its inception, this program has exemplified the power of public-private partnerships in driving positive change,” said Department of Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. “This agreement solidifies our shared commitment to improve access to quality planting materials, enhance potato production practices and technologies, increase local sufficiency, and ultimately uplift farmers for a sustainable future.”
Since the Sustainable Potato Program started five years ago, URC has distributed 506 tons of generation 3 Granola potato seeds from Canada to more than 900 farmers in the Cordillera Administrative Region, Davao del Sur, and Bukidnon. An estimated 23,000 metric tons of potatoes have been produced from these seeds, generating a minimum gross income of 920 million pesos. The program has benefitted 15 farmer organizations and contributed to a 4% increase in national potato production.
“We at URC are committed to contributing to the country’s sustainable development goals. Through the Sustainable Potato Program, we aim to uplift people’s lives and support the growth of the potato farming industry,” said Irwin Lee, URC President and Chief Executive Officer.
Apart from receiving the DA’s support, the program’s success was made possible through the efforts of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada – the Canadian Government’s version of the DA – and the Prince Edward Island Potato Board. In collaboration with these organizations, URC is able to provide local farmers with access to relevant training programs and research, added Lee.
As part of this initiative, 10 farmers from the Cordillera Administrative Region participated in an educational visit to Prince Edward Island, Canada, in June. The week-long mission aimed to benchmark farming practices, ensure a continued supply of the Granola seed variety, and explore alternative potato varieties for a sustainable seed source.
Under its Memorandum of Understanding with URC, the DA will provide training on good agricultural practices, seed multiplication, pest and disease management, storage, handling, and marketing. It will also organize a Program Management Unit (PMU) in the three aforementioned regions to oversee the program’s implementation and ensure that targets are met.
The DA’s Bureau of Plant Industry, meanwhile, will facilitate timely import clearances and conduct pest and disease surveillance.
In addition to providing high quality potato seeds direct to farmers, URC will collaborate with relevant institutions to offer capability-building opportunities and training for farmers. URC will also leverage its network to establish market access for the potato farmers’ produce.
“At URC, we believe in the power of community empowerment and the transformative potential of agriculture,” said Lee. “Our commitment goes beyond business; we are dedicated to changing lives and fostering sustainable growth in every community we touch. Together with our partners, we strive to create a lasting impact, ensuring that our farmers not only thrive but also prosper in evolving agriculture landscape.”
For more information on Universal Robina Corp., visit urc.com.ph
