BUGA affirms priority to plant Ubi Kinampay

The Bohol Ubi Growers Association (BUGA) signifies a unified priority to plant the Ubi Kinampay variety April and May 2017 copping season.
This developed during the regular meeting of BUGA held Wednesday at the Eutiquio Cimafranca Cultural Center of Baclayon.
Despite the knowledge that Ubi Kinampay is susceptible to plant diseases, the BUGA members said they will plant this variety because it is salable, and has a better price compared to other varieties.
In the meeting presided over by Floriano Gamay, BUGA president, they passed a resolution humbly requesting the Department of Agriculture (DA) Regional Field Office (RFO) 7 Director Salvador Diputado to prioritize BUGA on their Ubi Kinampay dispersal program in region 7.
The BUGA members admitted they have problems securing sufficient supply of Kinampay for planting.
The commitment of Ubi growers is the answer to the call of the Provincial Government of Bohol (PGBh) through the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) to give priority in engaging Ubi farming to plant more Ubi Kinampay.
Assistant Provincial Agriculturist Larry M. Pamugas during the 17th Ubi Festival assessment meeting on Feb. 7, 2017 echoed the call of the PGBh to plant more Kinampay variety which registered the highest sale. The variety was sold out even on day one of the festival last Jan. 20.
Municipal Agricultural Officer (MAO) Dino Ramo of Baclayon said their town through Mayor Benecio Uy has been working on how to motivate farmers especially the youth to engage in Ubi farming.
Ramo said that data in Baclayon and other towns of Bohol revealed a dwindling number of farmers, adding that it seems the lure of agriculture sector especially in Ubi farming among younger generation is getting faint.
Eleno L. Evangelista, Ubi Festival focal person explained that the purpose of holding the BUGA meeting once every other month to the different municipalities who have BUGA members is to encourage the Boholano farmers to plant Ubi most specifically Kinampay.
Anulfo B. Calag, president, Baclayon Ubi Association thanked the BUGA for holding the regular meeting in their town.
The next Ubi growers regular meeting is tentatively set on April 19, 2017 in Alburquerque. (Atoy Cosap)