Potato farmers in Benguet are testing seven new varieties alongside the familiar Granola in a bid to raise productivity, widen planting options and strengthen the commercial viability of one of the Cordillera’s key vegetable crops.
The trials form part of Universal Robina Corp.’s (URC) eight-year Sustainable Potato Program, which links farmers to seed potatoes, technical training and market opportunities.
The new varieties, Hilite Russet, Russet Burbank, Eva, Mystere, Kennebec, Red Norland and Satina, are being evaluated for their potential to give farmers more productive and sustainable alternatives.
The latest cycle began with the distribution of 54 metric tons of Granola seed potatoes by URC on April 25 to 216 members of the United Potato Producers of Benguet and Mountain Province Inc. The potatoes were planted in May and harvested in late August.
Farmers will keep part of the harvest as seed for the next planting cycle and sell the remainder, allowing the program to support both future production and near-term farm income.
URC President and CEO Irwin Lee said the program’s progress reflects the farmers’ contribution as much as the company’s support.
“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.
URC said it has distributed more than 600 metric tons of seed potatoes worth over P40 million to more than 1,000 farmers in the Cordillera Administrative Region, Bukidnon and Davao over eight years.
The company estimates the program has generated about 34,000 metric tons of potatoes with a farm-gate value of roughly P1.36 billion. Participating farmers have earned an average annual income of about P300,000.
The program also extends beyond farm production. Since 2022, the Gokongwei Brothers Foundation has provided scholarships to 18 children of participating farmers, with eight graduates so far. Two graduated cum laude, while six more are expected to finish this year.
A greenhouse funded by the foundation in partnership with Kerry Group Philippines Foundation is also being used to propagate potato seedlings.
As URC marks its 70th anniversary, the potato program highlights a broader business challenge for Philippine agriculture: improving farm productivity while giving producers reliable access to inputs, technology and markets. For Benguet growers, the next test is whether new varieties can turn better yields into more durable farm incomes.
