MANOLO FORTICH, Bukidnon - The Philippine Root Crop Research and Training Center (Philrootcrops) of Visayas State University reaffirmed its commitment to the growth of the ube industry as it joined stakeholders in a five-day strategic planning workshop held on September 1-5 at Mountain Pines Place, Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon.

Organized by Fatima Multi-Purpose Cooperative (FMPC) of Tunga, Leyte, and the Filipino Ube House in Bukidnon, the workshop convened farmer cooperatives, government agencies, private sector partners, and academic institutions under the theme “The Purple Economy: Unlocking the Global Potentials of the Ube Value Chain of Eastern Visayas.”

Drawing on its decades of expertise in rootcrop research and extension, Philrootcrops provided technical insights on ubi production, enterprise development, and value chain strengthening. It also highlighted ongoing projects that support ube propagation and utilization, including collaborations with FMPC and Filipino Ube House, as well as propagation initiatives in Bohol.

Philrootcrops’ contribution complemented the inputs of the VSU Biodiversity Research Center, which emphasized the integration of ube in agroforestry systems and its role in promoting sustainable landscapes.

The workshop involved a series of SWOT analyses and stakeholder dialogues that culminated in the establishment of the Interim Ube Council of Eastern Visayas. The council will serve as the coordinating body for industry development, market expansion, and policy support.

Among the organizations represented were Organikong Magsasaka at Mangingisda ng Rehiyon Otso (OMMRO), Ormoc Rice Seed Growers (ORSEGRO) Multi-purpose Cooperative, and PARA Cooperative, alongside government partners from the Department of Agriculture (DA) Region 8, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Region 8, Regional Agricultural Fishery Council (RAFC), and Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) Eastern Visayas.

By bridging research and enterprise, Philrootcrops underscored its role in linking science-based innovations with livelihood opportunities, further positioning Eastern Visayas in the country’s growing “purple economy”.

This article aligns with Sustainable Development Goals No.: 2 – Zero Hunger, 4 – Quality Education, 12 – Responsible Consumption and Production, 13 – Climate Action, 15 – Life on Land, 17 – Partnerships for the Goals