NextGen Day

A farmer in Benguet said Friday that adopting enhanced potato planting material developed through a government-funded research and development program has doubled his production and income.

Nelio Compelio of the Immaculate Conception Community Cooperative in Amgaleygey, Buguias, Benguet, said the clean planting material came from the Benguet State University’s (BSU) laboratory on the sidelines of the Science for Change Program (S4CP) meeting for North Luzon.

“I can harvest more than 10 tubers from just three tubers generated using the previous planting materials after I used the BSU-made planting material,” Compelio, who is also a co-operator of the BSU potato research and development project, said in Filipino.

Because the material could now be acquired locally, this invention would reduce production costs, resulting in more income for farmers.

He explained that they had to recycle the tubers and make planting materials for the next planting season because they were currently importing the planting materials.

BSU developed the “clean” planting material with funds from the Department of Science and Technology’s Niche Centers in the Regions (NICER) initiative (DOST).

According to Compello, he used to acquire a rooted cutting from BSU, but limited supply prohibited other farmers from using the better material.

“Nag-introduce ng community-based production, technological transfer, at masaya ako na isa ako sa mga naturuan mag-produce ng planting materials galing sa product ng study nila,” says the researcher. They introduced community-based production and technological transfer, and ang mga ibang nagtatanim ng patatas na rin kumukuha ng planting supplies. I’m delighted I was one of those who was taught how to propagate planting material from their studies. Now, fellow potato growers come to me for planting materials),” he explained.

He stated that his cooperative has around 300 members, but that only about 200 have adopted the technology so far due to the others’ “wait and see” attitude.

According to Compello, the others are still utilizing imported planting materials, which are more expensive than clean planting materials manufactured locally.

He claims that they have an Igorota kind that meets the specifications for potato fries and chips at various fast food establishments, as well as granola variations, which are the most frequent in households.

old-fashioned

Compello grew up on the farm with his father, who is a potato farmer.

He began employing his father’s farming practice of using imported planting materials and reusing the tubers for next planting season while he was in his teenage years.

The old approach of creating tubers from existing ones also caused a problem with product quality, which deteriorated as it was recycled, he added, noting that he notices a difference between what he is doing now and what his father taught him.

The clean material was “free of illnesses, insects, pests, and bacteria, a fungus that causes potato infestation,” according to BSU research laboratory director Cynthia Kiswa.

She added the DOST’s research and development initiative enabled them to handle key plant and pest illnesses, such as potato systematodes and leaf light diseases, which cause a decline in productivity and quality, resulting in lower selling prices.

She stated that Benguet provides 75% of the country’s entire annual potato crop of 120,000 metric tons.

“Important ang DOST kasi sila ang nagbigay ng (DOST is important because they are the source of) funds that allowed us to improve our facilities in the potato seeds production and tissue culture laboratory, as well as our research capability at BSU, particularly in the potato research and development center,” Kiswa explained.

Save/Share this story with QR CODE

---

Disclaimer

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute endorsement of any specific technologies or methodologies and financial advice or endorsement of any specific products or services.

📩 Need to get in touch?

📩 Feel free to Contact NextGenDay.com for comments, suggestions, reviews, or anything else.

---

We appreciate your reading. 😊Simple Ways To Say Thanks & Support Us:
1.) ❤️GIVE A TIP. Send a small donation thru Paypal😊❤️
Your DONATION will be used to fund and maintain NEXTGENDAY.com
Subscribers in the Philippines can make donations to mobile number 0917 906 3081, thru GCash.
3.) 🛒 BUY or SIGN UP to our AFFILIATE PARTNERS.
4.) 👍 Give this news article a THUMBS UP, and Leave a Comment (at Least Five Words).

---

AFFILIATE PARTNERS

World Class Nutritional Supplements - Buy Highest Quality Products, Purest Most Healthy Ingredients, Direct to your Door! Up to 90% OFF.
Join LiveGood Today - A company created to satisfy the world's most demanding leaders and entrepreneurs, with the best compensation plan today.

---