Following a three-month cultivation period, the Udangan La Paz Farmers’ Association Incorporated in Barangay Udangan, La Paz, Abra harvested 241 kilograms (kgs) of sweet potatoes from March 6 and 13, 2025.
The harvest stems from 2,500 orange-fleshed sweet potato cuttings provided by the Department of Agriculture – Special Area for Agricultural Development (DA-SAAD) Program in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) through its Food Production and Livelihood Component.
The orange-fleshed variety is known for its high beta-carotene content. The farmers association is now selling the sweet potatoes locally at Php 40 per kilogram. If the entire harvest is sold, the association anticipates earnings of Php 9,640.
The sweet potato production project amounting to Php 541,960, including training, diversified income streams by promoting the sale of fresh and processed products. These initiatives reflect DA-SAAD’s commitment to improving livelihood opportunities in marginalized communities while enhancing the local high-value crop sector.
Association President Leo Blanza expressed the association’s gratitude to DA-SAAD CAR, stating, “Agyaman kami la unay iti adu ti intedyu nga sweet potatoes ken sapay kuma ta adu pay ti associations nga matulungan yu.”
[We are deeply grateful for the sweet potatoes you have provided, and we hope you will continue to help more associations.]
Looking forward, the association is set to significantly scale its sweet potato operations. They are set to receive 5,000 violet-fleshed cuttings this year, supplementing their existing stock and bringing their total to 7,500. This expansion will allow them to increase planting areas and diversify their crops, offering both orange and violet varieties.
They will also be provided with lima beans and peanut seeds as part of the program’s additional livelihood interventions.
The group also intends to pursue value-added processing, specifically transforming their peanut harvest into peanut butter, aiming to diversify their product line and enhance marketability. ###
