Ubi farmers from Calape, Bohol attended the Package of Technology (POT) training on ubi (yam) production on March 12-13, 2025, held in the said municipality.
Conducted by the Department of Agriculture-Central Visayas (DA7), through the High Value Crops Development Program (HVCDP), the POT was aimed to improve the production technologies of the ubi farmers, to increase their yield and income, and to recognize ubi as a premier commodity in the province.
Bohol is known for its Ubi Kinampay (violet) and considered as a sacred crop. The annual Ubi Festival celebrated every December, highlights the bountiful harvest of ubi, showcasing the various varieties grown in the province.
Roman Dabalos, the DA7’s Agricultural Program Coordination Officer of Bohol (APCO-Bohol), shared his experiences on ubi cultivation, including the traditional beliefs and modern technologies. He also conveyed the directives of Regional Executive Director Angel Enriquez, on the vision for food security of the region and encouraged an active participation to enhance the ubi production.
The first day topics were on Good Agricultural Practices by Merriam Canabatuan of the region’s Regulatory Division, potential pests and diseases affecting yam/ubi and their management by Jorge Odiaman of the Regional Crop Protection Center (RCPC) and the cultural management techniques by Deseada Dabalos.
The second day, topics include simple record-keeping by. Christopher Barette and Gender and Development (GAD) concepts by Rachelle Madrigal.
Vicenta Idulsa, representing the participants for impression, expressed gratitude to DA7 for the training.”
Municipal Agriculturist Maria Teresita Penticase, thanked DA7 for selecting Calape as a beneficiary of the POT, as she urged the ubi farmers to implement their apply their gained knowledge, saying, “Maayo unta ang mga trainings ug technology nga inyong nakat-onan karon, inyohang gamiton sa inyong pag-uma para mas mulambo pa ang inyong abot pagpanguma”. (Apply the technologies you learned from the training in your farm to improve your lives.)