News Details

BSU’s “Clean” Potato Seedlings Set to Boost Yields for Benguet Farmers

NPO

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September 29, 2025

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – Potato farmers in Benguet are set to increase production with the rollout of “clean” planting materials developed by Benguet State University (BSU).

Grace Backian, director of the Northern Philippines Root Crops Research and Training Center, said the clean seedlings, now reaching farmers, have been proven to significantly improve yields. Farms using traditional farm-saved seeds average 16 tons per hectare, while those using clean seedlings can yield up to 36 tons per hectare.

“Ngayon nakarating sa farmers, we want to increase the availability of clean planting materials to further improve yields, which studies show can rise significantly,” Backian said in a Friday interview.

Previously, only 14 percent of potato planting materials were classified as clean, forcing farmers to queue at BSU’s research center for limited supplies. Through a two-year project funded by the Gokongwei Group and supported technically by BSU in partnership with farmer organizations, access to quality seedlings is being expanded.

“The problem has always been the lack of certified seeds,” Backian explained. “Most farmers rely on farm-saved seeds that are not checked or certified by the Bureau of Plant Industry.”

Under the project, the Gokongwei Group has established three greenhouse nurseries in Benguet: one in Mankayan, inaugurated on Sept. 17, and two more under construction in Buguias and Kabayan. These facilities will provide high-yielding, market-preferred potato varieties such as Granola and BSU’s Igorota.

“With the completion of these nurseries, clean seedlings will become more accessible to potato-producing farmers,” Backian said. The Buguias nursery is already serving around 1,000 farmers, with more households expected to benefit in the coming months.

Oversupply is not expected, as demand for potatoes remains high. In addition, the Gokongwei Group has committed to purchasing farmers’ produce at prevailing market prices under a tripartite agreement with BSU and farmer organizations.

“This partnership ensures not just access to clean seedlings, but also a ready market for farmers,” Backian added.

NPO News Team | PNA-PR