A familiar Filipino crop is being explored for its potential to become a growing agricultural enterprise in Negros Oriental, as farmers, government offices, researchers, and other partners look into opportunities for developing the province’s local ube industry.
The initiative brings together the Negros Oriental Integrated Farmer Association, the Negros Oriental Agriculture and Fisheries Extension Center, the Provincial Agriculture Office, and other agriculture and research partners to examine how existing ube production can be strengthened while protecting local resources and farming communities.
Building on Local Ube Production
The discussions focus on developing the ube production initiatives already being undertaken by farmers in selected local government units across Negros Oriental.
Rather than simply increasing production, the stakeholders are looking at the bigger picture: identifying the needs of local growers, understanding the characteristics of the ube variety being cultivated, improving production practices, and exploring opportunities for value-adding and market development. This approach could help establish a stronger foundation for ube as an agricultural enterprise while allowing farmers and technical partners to better understand what is needed to expand production sustainably.
Protecting the Local Ube Variety
One of the key concerns raised during the discussions is protecting the ube variety currently being cultivated by local farmers. The introduction of outside planting materials can potentially bring pests or diseases into existing production areas. Because of this, the stakeholders are considering scientific and technical assessment before developing appropriate biosecurity and policy measures. The goal is to balance agricultural development with the protection of local ube resources, ensuring that efforts to expand production do not unintentionally create new risks for farmers.
Research and Training for Farmers
A research-based approach is also being considered as part of the initiative.
The farmer association is engaging a state university and the Negros Oriental Research and Development Center (NORDC) to support work involving variety identification, production practices, pest and disease management, climate resilience, and potential value-adding opportunities. Initial training on ube production is also being lined up. A planned field visit to an identified production area will provide an opportunity to examine current farming practices, document farmers’ knowledge, and identify gaps where technology or additional production support may be useful.
