Research reveals to work harder for Ubi industry
The Provincial Government of Bohol (PGBh) through the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) and Ubi
stakeholders need to burn out its midnight candle to flourish the Ubi industry in the agricultural province of Bohol.
This after the presentation of the Ubi Research Outputs presented by Engr. Dennis B. Jomoc, Chairperson,
College Research of the Bohol Island State University (BISU), Bilar Campus last Wednesday during the Research
Needs Assessment Forum for Ubi held at the Jj’s Seafood Village, Tagbilaran City that showed that there is a need to
connect the gaps between the government, stakeholders and Ubi growers to boost the industry.
Jomoc presented their recommendations based on actual encounters and findings of their study to bridge the gaps
which are the following: Production of an Ubi Commodity Road Map for Bohol; Investment to machinery and
equipment for sustainable upland farming and value-adding; investment to seed yam production system such as
tissue culture cum aeroponics for the production of quality planting materials; strategies and approaches for effective
enhancement of productivity and production volume;
Machine and equipment development for Ubi-based and enhanced food products; performance of Ubi under
protected and irrigated environments; Ubi stability map in Bohol for efficient and effective resource allocation and
utilization; DNA sequencing of Bohol Ubi varieties; micro-climate identification and/or characterization of soils in
the Ubi production areas;
Response of Ubi (growth, yield, and tuber properties) on different agroecological zones to organic and inorganic
nutrients supplementations; mass production of quality planting materials using the current production technologies;
and performance evaluation of the conventional method of Ubi production and farmer’s adopted practices.
He disclosed that there are only 430 Ubi growers in the province tilling the 6 hectares (has.) scattered in 16
towns which are only small when we speak about boosting Ubi industry namely: Panglao (33), Dauis (16),
Tagbilaran City (19), Baclayon (71), Cortes (24), Corella (32), Sikatuna (16), Loon (35), and Alburquerque (61) in
the First District; Ubay ((7) and Sagbayan (15) in the Second Dist.; Dimiao (4), Loay (1), Bilar (11), Pilar (12),
Carmen (48) and Jagna (25) with an average Ubi production area per grower is 138 sq. meters.
Jomoc said that generally, there is a decreasing trend of production area from 2010 to 2022 in Bohol and the
aging average age of Ubi growers is 61. He said that with regards to the status of ownership in the production area,
there are about two-thirds of the Ubi production area is personally-owned and 3 out of 10 Ubi growers have tenanted
lot for production.
Felix Tubiano, Center Chief, Department of Agriculture – Bohol Experiment Station (DA-BES) admitted that
Bohol could not produce mass production of Ubi because of the limited production areas and only one planting
season a year.
Tubiano said the BES had conducted research on Ubi especially the Kinampay variety on its characteristics,
aromatic taste compared to other provinces of the same variety using the tissue cultured derived-Ubi plantlets.
Dr. Clarissa B. Jamilo, Senior Research Specialist, DA-BES said that it was found out that based on their study
that early planting of tissue cultured derived planting materials resulted to higher number and weight of tuber
produced in Baligonhon and Kinampay varieties; average number of tubers produced as classified according to
weight ranges from 10 grams to more than 150 grams; mostly tuber production in the three varieties planted monthly
reached the 50 grams weight which could be used as planting materials in the field.
They also found out that tissue-cultured plantlet is a good alternative to Ubi setts as planting material in the
production of quality Ubi seeds and tubers; given the right cultural management practices, tissue cultured derived
Ubi plantlets produced marketable and bigger tubers.
Executive Assistant to the Governor for Agriculture Nunila M. Pinat for and in behalf of Governor Erico
Aristotle C. Aumentado in her message informed the participants of the forum that under the administration of Gov.
Aumentado, the provincial government had crafted the Ubi Development Framework.
She lauded the research study made by BISU and BES and she hoped that the Ubi production in Bohol would
expand. Pinat questioned why Boholano Ubi growers have been using Ubi planting materials from other provinces
with the fact that we have our owned production here.
According to Pinat, this is a great challenge for us to expand the Ubi industry in Bohol.
Provincial Agriculturist Liza M. Quirog earlier said that the forum serves as an initiative of the Bohol Ubi Board
in our shared mission to further elevate the Ubi industry – a cornerstone of Bohol’s agricultural identity and a key
contributor to our local economy.
The activity aims to identify research gaps and opportunities, specific research needs and research priorities for
Ubi and foster cross – disciplinary and cross-sectoral collaboration, she said.
Quirog stressed that the forum would also provide a platform to present recent research findings and
advancements, aligning with global trends and technological innovations. This exchange of knowledge would enable
stakeholders to collectively shape a dynamic research agenda tailored to the needs and aspirations of Bohol’s Ubi
industry.
She added that these partnerships are crucial to unlocking innovative approaches that address the challenges
faced by Ubi growers and processors, while also exploring opportunities for diversification, value addition, and
sustainability. By Atoy Cosap