Metro Manila, Philippines – The Department of Agriculture (DA) is expanding ube production in Cagayan Valley with an initial target of 100 hectares and plans to expand to 500 hectares by 2028 to improve export opportunities for Filipino farmers.

As of Oct. 7, the DA regional field office allocated P3.7 million to produce 420,000 ube setts, planting materials used to grow new ube plants. Of the 420,000 ube setts, 211,180 have been delivered to Echague, Isabela, with the remaining 208,820 expected to follow.

The initiative also supports an additional 70 hectares, requiring 1.4 million more setts. The DA aims to meet this requirement by December.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel said collaboration between the DA’s technical expertise and the Cagayan LGU’s support would help develop more sustainable incomes for local farmers.

Cagayan Valley Regional Executive Director Rose Mary G. Aquino said the region had laid the groundwork for ube production and exports two years before purple yam gained global popularity.

NewsWatch Plus intern Justin Allanigue contributed to this report.