Ubi industry in Bohol only in micro level

The Ubi industry in the province of Bohol is operating in micro/small scale level only especially in the
“Kinampay” variety.

This was the statement issued by Engr. Dennis B. Jomoc, Associate Professor 5, Faculty in CANR-DABE,
BISU-Bilatr Campus as well as the Chairperson, College Research (Designation); Ubi Project Leader (Designation)
last Wednesday when he presented the findings of their research entitled “Ubi Industry Status in Bohol” during the
Sandugo Agri-Fair Food Fair Assessment Workshop held at the Panda Tea and Garden, Dao, Tagbilaran City.

This too even that he reported that the status of production volume showed in their research that Bohol is
identified as the top producer of Ubi in the country, contributing an average of 38% of the national production (PSA,
2021, averaged based from 2010-2020 production.

According to Engr. Jomoc the Ubi production area in Bohol had decreased by 65% having an annual average
decrease rate of about 3.3% based on 2013-2017 (0.5% increase in 2018-2020).

He pointed out the issues/problems of Ubi industry in the province such as: low quality and limited planting
materials, unfertile soil resulting to low productivity, low mechanization status, cultural degradation, genetic erosion
for white yam, climate change, low buying price, high cost of labor, lack of market, limited capital, and pest
infestation and disease incidence.

Along with these issues and problems, Engr. Jomoc said they have concluded that the disease incidence, pest
infestation, poor quality of planting materials, poor production practices, unfertile soil; and the poor/limited linkage
between producers and processors are the primary contributing factors to a low productivity in Bohol.

He said that the numerous issues and problems also contribute to the diminishing interest among Boholano Ubi
growers into Ubi production.

Engr. Jomoc said that with this scenario, they have some recommendations which are the following:
strengthening the organization of Ubi growers within the municipality particularly the identified Ubi growing
municipalities; annual updating of the list of Ubi growers including the number of hills planted, planting distance
adopted, and varieties planted;

Strengthening the marketing assistance provided to the Ubi growers; strengthening production input support such
as investment to production machineries/equipment, fertilizer subsidy, planting materials (Kinampay) and
transportation support; provision of supports to value adding activities.

Executive Assistant for Agriculture Ric Oblena said that what is his being known in Bohol that to market the Ubi
tubers is not a problem but really the production.

The former Department of Agriculture 7 Regional Director said that aside from being limited production of Ubi
especially the Kinampay variety, there is a so called “Ubi Smuggling” wherein the aromatic variety of Kinampay
planting materials be brought to other provinces in bulk and will be planted there. And if the DA has dispersal
program for Kinampay, they will buy planting materials from other provinces whose palatability is different with the
Kinampay in Dauis, Panglao, Baclayon, Albur in Bohol which has and aromatic smell.

Oblena remarked that if this smuggling of Ubi Kinampay would not be stopped, time will come that there is no
pure Ubi Kinampay in the province which is the legacy from our forefathers . By Atoy Cosap