BAYBAY CITY, Leyte - In line with ongoing ube development initiatives, the Bureau of Plant Industry – High Value Crops Development Program (HVCDP), in partnership with the Philippine Root Crop Research and Training Center (PhilRootcrops), facilitated the procurement, preparation, release, and distribution of purple yam seedlings to farmer-beneficiaries across Region VIII and selected areas in Region VII.

Left to Right: Distribution of purple yam seedlings to farmer-beneficiaries at Brgy. Bubon Baybay City, Leyte, and Juanito Eco-Farm School for Practical Agriculture (JEFSPA) at Brgy. Pangasugan Baybay City, Leyte.

The inspection and initial distribution were conducted on March 16-18, 2026, in Baybay City, Leyte, together with some nearby beneficiaries. The activity aimed to strengthen high-value crop production by providing farmers with quality and reliable planting materials, thereby supporting improved farm productivity and sustainable agricultural practices.

Left to Right: Group photo at Bgry. Bubon and Pangasugan Baybay City, Leyte, with the Farmer-beneficiaries, PhilRootcrops, and BPI during the distribution.

Present during the activity are PhilRootcrops Center Director Marlon M. Tambis and Senior Agriculturist Mr. Dioscoro Bolatete Jr., along with representatives from BPI-HVCDP, including Supervising Agriculturist Ms. Asther Paglinawan, Focal, High Value Crops Development Program Mr. Jose Zalde B. Samson, Inspection Audit Unit Mr. Arnel John Dacara, and Property Management Mr. John Paulo Lirasan.

Distribution of Purple Yam Seedlings to Organikong Magsasaka at Mangingisda ng Rehiyon Otso (OMMRO) organization at the Alde Farm in Babatngon, Leyte, during their regional meeting and Lakbay Alay activity on March 21, 2026.

After the initial rollout, Organikong Magsasaka at Mangingisda ng Rehiyon Otso (OMMRO) began distributing seedlings across Region VIII, delivering them to additional beneficiaries and farming associations.

The initiative of the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) in collaboration with PhilRootcrops, will benefit around 60 farming associations in Region VIII, as well as selected areas of Region VII, Bohol. Meanwhile, the Department of Agriculture High Value Crops Development Program (DA-HVCDP) Region VIII launched a similar distribution for Organikong Magsasaka at Mangingisda ng Rehiyon Otso (OMMRO) and selected recipients across the region. 

Through this collaborative effort, the program reinforced its commitment to delivering timely agricultural support, thereby contributing to enhancing farmer productivity, improving livelihoods, and the continued advancement of the ube industry.

This article aligns with Sustainable Development Goals No.: 2 – Zero Hunger, 8 – Decent Work and Economic Growth, 13 – Climate Action, 15 – Life on Land, 17 – Partnerships for the Goals