ILOILO – The Iloilo provincial government is laying the groundwork to transform the province into a major production hub for export-grade ube (purple yam), seeking to capitalize on surging global demand for processed ube powder and bridge a growing supply gap in the international market.
The initiative could open new opportunities for local farmers, expand agricultural production and position Iloilo as a competitive supplier in the emerging global ube industry.
As an initial step, provincial officials and industry stakeholders have agreed in principle to establish a dedicated ube nursery in Cabatuan town to ensure a reliable supply of quality planting materials.
The proposed nursery is expected to serve as a foundation for expanding ube cultivation across the province.
Last week, representatives of the Iloilo Provincial Agriculture Office, the Office of the Provincial Local Economic Development and Investment Promotion (LEDIP) Officer, and Provincial Administrator Raul Banias met with the Institute of Contemporary Economics (ICE) and industry experts from Mindanao to explore strategies for developing Iloilo’s ube industry.
Among the participants were Marco Adriane R. Escudero, president and chief steward of Santo Domingo Farms Ventures Inc., and Padiernos B. “Padie” Alover, vice president of JPC Golden Alliance Trading Inc., also known as Maharlika Ube.
Discussions centered on the increasing international demand for processed ube powder and Iloilo’s potential to become a production center capable of supplying traceable, export-grade products.
Provincial officials see an opportunity to develop the industry by tapping locally available ube resources and establishing a more organized production system.
The proposed development would also seek to address supply shortages in the international market while creating additional economic opportunities within the province’s agricultural sector.
Banias said the initiative supports Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr.’s vision of strengthening Iloilo’s agricultural economy and exploring new avenues for growth.
The planned nursery in Cabatuan represents the first concrete step toward that goal, although the provincial government has yet to announce a timetable, investment requirements or production targets for the proposed industry expansion./PN
