17,000 sweetpotato planting materials for distribution to individual farmers and FCAs in Cordillera

A total of 17,000 sweetpotato planting materials are set to be distributed to individual farmers and farmers’ cooperatives and associations (FCAs) in Benguet and other provinces of Cordillera from September to December 2021.

In 2020, the Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Agricultural Research (DA-BAR), awarded PhP 3 million fund to support research projects such as the enhancement of technology transfer on vegetable seed and seedling production of sweetpotato, mushroom, and ginger in the region.

According to Josie Dasayon, DA-Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) Research Division science research specialist, they had already conducted trainings on single node cutting and distributed 23,000 planting materials in Itogon, Kapangan, Tuba, and Tublay early this year. 

Single node cutting is obtained from the potted mother planting materials distributed to farmers. The vines are cut into single nodes using disinfected blade, leaving one or two nodes where new shoots can develop for the next harvest of vine cuttings. The cuttings are planted in a potted media and when they have grown to at least five nodes, they are transplanted. 

Further, seven sweetpotato varieties are being distributed—Beniazuma, Haponita, Immitlog, Basilan, Pakak, Bokod, and Bengueta.

Based on the division’s sweetpotato research in Benguet, the municipalities of Itogon, Kapangan, Tuba, and Tublay were identified as suitable areas for planting sweetpotato and were selected best in terms of short maturing duration and high yield.

The Research Division will coordinate with the local government units (LGUs) not only in Benguet but in other provinces of Cordillera for the distribution of the planting materials. For the interested sweetpotato growers, they can coordinate with their respective LGUs or pen a letter addressed to DA-CAR.

Sweetpotato, locally known as dukto or lukto is an essential crop in Cordillera. It is considered a staple food, supplement to rice and being added to local delicacies in the Philippines. The leaves, tops, and edible roots are being utilized as food or feeds and it is considered a profitable commodity.

“Dukto is part of our culture especially in Cordillera. The importance of planting sweetpotato is its health benefits and it can be an additional income for the family,” Dasayon said.