URC initiative delivers gains for local farmers

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September 15, 2026 | 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines — Universal Robina Corp. (URC) has expanded its farmer support program to help local potato growers improve harvests and tap wider market opportunities.

The company said Benguet farmers have harvested potatoes from the 54 metric tons (MT) of Granola potato seed distributed last April to 216 members of the United Potato Producers of Benguet and Mountain Province Inc.

Planted in early May, the crop was fully harvested by late August. Farmers will also keep part of the yield as seed for the next cycle while selling the rest to generate income.

Seven other potato varieties have been planted on trial plots for farmers to explore more productive options and support a more sustainable potato industry. These include Hilite Russet, Russet Burbank, Eva, Mystere, Kennebec, Red Norland and Satina.

Under its Sustainable Potato Program, farmers are given seed potatoes, technical training and market opportunities.

Over the past eight years, the company said that it has distributed more than 600 MT of seed potatoes worth more than P40 million to over 1,000 farmers across the Cordillera Administrative Region, Bukidnon and Davao.

URC added that about 34,000 MT of potatoes have been produced with a farmgate value of about P1.36 billion. Participating farmers have also earned an average annual income of P300,000.

The program had contributed to about four percent in domestic potato production during its first five years.

“These achievements belong to every farmer whose dedication and stewardship have transformed every harvest into a better future for their families and communities,” URC president and CEO Irwin Lee said.

Lee added that URC plans to continue expanding the access of farmers to agricultural inputs, technical training and market opportunities as the program moves into its next phase.

URC plans to continue expanding farmers’ access to quality agricultural inputs, technical training, and market opportunities as the program moves into its next phase.

URC also reported that 18 farmers’ children have been given scholarships by the Gokongwei Brothers Foundation, most of whom attend Benguet State University.

Its scholarship initiative has already produced eight graduates, with six more expected this year and the rest on track to finish by 2028 and 2029.

The foundation, in partnership with the Kerry Group Philippines Foundation, also donated a greenhouse for propagating potato seedlings.