The Department of Agriculture is strengthening its partnership with local government units and private stakeholders to scale up ube production, meet rising global demand, and create more export opportunities for Isabela farmers.
In a statement Tuesday, the DA Cagayan Valley office said it is working with the Echague municipal government, farmer cooperatives, and business partners to expand farm areas and secure steady markets. Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel said LGU collaboration is critical to growing the industry and keeping earnings stable for farmers.
“With DA’s technical support and LGUs’ on-the-ground reach, we can ramp up production, serve global demand, and build export markets that mean higher, more reliable incomes for our farmers,” he said.
The plan sets production volumes and areas based on buyer needs and farmer capacity. DA supplies quality planting materials and technical help, while LGUs organize farmers and identify suitable land. Private buyers help align output with market standards.
As of October 7, the DA had allocated P3.7 million to produce 420,000 ube setts. Over 211,000 have been delivered to Echague, with the rest due soon. The program will open 70 new hectares, and DA targets securing the full 1.4 million setts needed by December.
Earlier this month, Korean investors joined DA and the LGU to assess local farms. Possible support for cold storage, irrigation, processing facilities, and carbon credit opportunities is being reviewed.
Regional Director Rose Mary Aquino noted the region built its ube program two years before the crop gained global fame. Processing facilities at Quirino State University already produced ube powder meeting Japan’s quality standards, with marketing help from DTI.
Initial target covers 100 hectares in Isabela, growing to 500 hectares by 2028. Small farmers are being linked with private buyers to ensure steady sales. DA emphasized that production growth must go hand-in-hand with good infrastructure and reliable markets to deliver real, lasting benefits to local farmers.
