RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
The Philippine Rootcrop Research and Training Center (PhilRootcrops) at the Visayas State University is the lead agency for rootcrop research and development in the country (P.D. 1107) and works with local and international research and development organizations. It is driven to link local rootcrop growers to dynamic markets by working with key industry players including micro-small entrepreneurs, NGOs and other RDE partners to provide better opportunities especially to smallholder farmers.
Root and Tuber Crops
- Important food and cash crops in the tropics adaptable to wide range of environment
- Good quality dietary fiber
- Low glycemic index, best for diabetic-prone
- Rich energy source, vitamins and minerals, anti-oxidants and anthocyanins
- Diverse uses for food, feeds, starch and other industrial products
- Increasing use in health and functional foods
- Low input
- Climate-smart farming
- Fit to organic agriculture