Alongside the widely grown Granola potato, farmers planted trial plots of Hilite Russet, Russet Burbank, Eva, Mystere, Kennebec, Red Norland and Satina to determine varieties that could potentially improve production.
The trials are part of Universal Robina Corp.'s (URC) Sustainable Potato Program, which has provided farmers with seed potatoes, technical training and market opportunities over the past eight years.
URC president and CEO Irwin Lee credited the program's gains to farmers and the partnerships supporting the initiative.
“These achievements belong to every farmer whose dedication and stewardship have transformed every harvest into a better future for their families and communities,” Lee said in a statement.
Growing opportunities for farmers
The latest harvest came from 54 metric tons of Granola seed potatoes distributed by URC on April 25 to 216 members of the United Potato Producers of Benguet and Mountain Province Inc. (UPPBMPI).
The potatoes were planted in early May and fully harvested in the last week of August. Farmers will retain part of the harvest as seed potatoes for the next planting cycle and sell the rest for additional income.
The distribution builds on URC's eight-year support for potato-growing communities.
During that period, the company has distributed more than 600 metric tons of seed potatoes worth over P40 million to more than 1,000 farmers across the Cordillera Administrative Region, Bukidnon and Davao.
URC estimates these have produced about 34,000 metric tons of potatoes with a farm-gate value of about P1.36 billion.
Participating farmers have also earned an average annual income of about P300,000, according to the company.
In 2024, URC reported that the program had contributed to a 4-percent increase in national potato production during its first five years.
Supporting the next generation
Support for farming families has also extended beyond the fields.
Since 2022, the Gokongwei Brothers Foundation has funded scholarships for 18 children of farmers benefiting from the potato program, most of whom attend Benguet State University.
Eight scholars have graduated, including two who finished cum laude. Six more are expected to graduate this year, while the remaining scholars are working toward graduation in 2028 and 2029.
The foundation, in partnership with Kerry Group Philippines Foundation, also donated a greenhouse used to propagate potato seedlings.
The initiative links educational opportunities for farming families with efforts to strengthen the long-term viability of potato production.
Cultivating a more sustainable future
This year's harvest coincides with URC's 70th anniversary. Founded in 1956, the food and beverage company said the milestone reinforces its efforts to create economic opportunities in communities connected to its business.
Lee said URC would continue expanding farmers' access to quality agricultural inputs, technical training and market opportunities as the Sustainable Potato Program enters its next phase.
“Together, we will continue building stronger farming communities of the future,” he said.
For Benguet farmers, that future is already taking root as they test new potato varieties while continuing to harvest a crop that has sustained generations of highland communities. —Ed: Corrie S. Narisma
