Seeking Official Recognition for Bohol’s Ubi Kinampay
BOHOL - The Bohol Provincial Ubi Growers Association Inc. has formally submitted an application to enlist Ubi Kinampay (Dioscorea alata L.) as a Traditional Rootcrop Variety of Bohol. Led by Association President Leonisa B. Buna, the group filed the application with the Bureau of Plant Industry–National Seed Industry Council–Plant Variety Protection Office (BPI-NSIC-PVPO) on August 25, 2026. The application was endorsed by Gov. Aris Aumentado and Provincial Agriculturist Liza M. Quirog, MNSA, with support from the Bohol Ubi Board through Resolution No. 2026-03.
Preserving a Distinctive Crop and Farming Tradition
Known for its distinctive purple flesh and characteristic sweet aroma, Ubi Kinampay has long held cultural and economic value among Boholano farming communities. The crop serves not only as a traditional food source but also as a livelihood crop and a planting material passed down within families. Seeking its formal recognition can help strengthen efforts to preserve the variety and highlight the knowledge, traditions, and agricultural practices associated with its cultivation. The initiative also recognizes the important role that traditional crops can play in maintaining local food heritage and supporting farming communities.
Strengthening Bohol’s Agricultural Heritage
The application represents an important step toward the official recognition, protection, and promotion of Ubi Kinampay as part of Bohol’s agricultural identity. Under Gov. Aumentado, the Provincial Government of Bohol continues to support Climate-Smart Agriculture and Fisheries initiatives that aim to protect local agricultural resources while strengthening farmers’ livelihoods. Preserving traditional varieties such as Ubi Kinampay can contribute to a more resilient agricultural sector while keeping valuable local farming traditions alive. These efforts further support Bohol’s broader commitment to sustainable and people-centered development in the country’s first UNESCO Global Geopark.
