Benise Balaoing

Article (news)

DA proposes P93M budget for ube research, development

Johnson Manabat

ABS-CBN News

<p>MANILA -- The Department of Agriculture (DA) is proposing to increase the budget for research and development (R&amp;D) and for improving the propagation of ube planting materials as the global demand for ube or purple yam increases.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2026/5/13/ube-is-the-new-philippine-export-star-dti-1953">Ube is the new Philippine export star—DTI</a></div><p>DA spokesperson Assistant Secretary Arnel De Mesa said there is already ongoing R&amp;D with several universities in the country to help boost local production of ube. </p><p>According to De Mesa, DA wants to ensure the geographic indication (GI) of ube in different parts of the country. </p><p>“Sa ngayon, ongoing yung several R&amp;D natin with several universities like (University of the Philippines - Los Baños and Diliman) para palakasin yung propagation ng planting material - yun ang importante, and to ensure yung geographic indication,&quot; he said.</p><p>&quot;Kasi halimbawa yung GI ng ube sa <a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/ancx/food-drink/features/05/28/23/how-ube-saved-boholanos-from-hunger-became-sacred-crop" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Bohol</a> - importante yun na ma-establish, kasi ayaw natin na maagaw. Kasi ‘pag may GI ka, that’s a protection already na yung ube ay kilala,” De Mesa told reporters. </p><p>De Mesa explained that GI will establish the identity of the local purple yam just like the GI of Guimaras mango and pomelo of Davao. </p><p>This year’s budget for the root crop’s R&amp;D, according to De Mesa, is around P17 million.  </p><p>For 2027, De Mesa said the DA is proposing to increase the budget to P93 million.</p><p>In 2024, ube was introduced abroad via the Market Sensing and Observation Mission to Spain and Paris. In that event, DA and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) presented this root crop and some of the products made out of it.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/overseas/04/15/23/filipino-ube-liquor-soft-launches-in-san-francisco" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Filipino ube liquor soft launches in San Francisco</a></div><p>Aside from ube, De Mesa said calamansi and several tropical fruits are also getting more attention from the international market. </p><p>According to De Mesa, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is helping the agency in promoting Philippine export commodities </p><p>“Hindi lang dapat ang tinitingnan natin ang local market natin; malaki ang potensyal ng Pilipinas to promote tropical fruits natin. Para mas lumaki yung income ng ating mga magsasaka beyond commodities,” said De Mesa.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>WATCH:</strong></div><div><strong><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="960" height="540" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Gg5xmkn_aT8?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></strong></div>