BENGUET State University – Northern Philippines Root Crops Research and Training Center (BSU–NPRCRTC) empowers farmers to produce their own potato seeds and discourages the use of potato imported seeds.
Thru the “Commercialization and Promotion of Processing Potato Varieties Thru Rapid Multiplication Technique” project funded by the Bureau of Agricultural Research and the Department of Agriculture–Cordillera Administrative Region–Regional Field Unit, 21 units of twin tunnel greenhouses were awarded to the following associations/cooperatives:
Botiao Potato Seed Growers, Tulodan Farmers Association, Naynayes Farmers Association, Tawalan Oyusan Farmers Association, Pulag Gambang Potato Seed Growers Association, Bayoyo Potato Seed Growers Association, Lengaoan Indigenous Group of Farmers’ Multi–Purpose Cooperative, Benguet Japan Trainees Association, Sebang Farrmers Association, Sinto Potato Seed Growers, Bacdangang Multi–Purpose Cooperative, Sadsadan Association on Production of Vegetable Inc., Mothers’ Truth Association, Lower Sayapot Farmers Association, Madaymen Good Agricultural Practitioners, Bolinaca Agapay Farmers Consumers Cooperative, and Lamagan, Balintag Baugan Farmers Association, together with two units of Potato Diffused Light Seed Storage for the Madaymen Good Agricultural Practitioners and Lower Sapapot Farmers Association. While the farmers were trained to do potato stem cutting thru the said project.
Almost 500 farmers/growers were trained to do hands-on production on potato stem cuttings and GIS soil mapping was also done mostly to identify areas that are suitable for potato seed production.
Bacterial wilt is the worst problem on potato but clean soil is known to be free from bacterial wilt so preventive measures have to be done in order not to spread the disease. Preventive measures include the proper use of trichoderma, proper disposal/sanitation, proper soil management, and use of clean planting material.
NPRCRTC is advocating the use of clean planting materials obtained from tissue cultured plantlet that were produced inside the laboratory. From the laboratory, it is transferred and mass produced inside the greenhouse on carbonized rice hull mixed soil.
After ten days, 2 cm roots are produced and now ready for transplanting in the field. Minimal watering must be done to avoid stem rotting. After three weeks, planting plants are hilled – up to prevent logging and greening of the seed tubers.
Three months after, the seed tubers could be primed just like the sweet potato. Continuous harvesting could be done, however, proper management like spraying and fertilization must be done to supply the necessary nutrients needed by the plant. This technique increased farmers’ income by thirty to forty percent.
Some of our successful potato seed growers practicing stem cutting multiplication and tuberlet production are Mr. Nelio Compelio of Sinipsip, Buguias and Ms. Eliza of Tawang, La Trinidad, Benguet. Their passion in doing potato stem cutting made them a successful seed grower.
At present, the center is expanding their efforts to help farmers establish community based nurseries to enable them to produce their clean planting materials for potato as well as for sweet potato and purple yum.
Hence, the center will be conducting trainings on the techniques of producing sweet potato clean planting materials on April 11, 2018.
For further information or clarification, you may visit the NPRCRTC at Benguet State University, Km. 6, La Trinidad, Benguet or contact us thru telephone/fax at (074) 422-2439.