Benguet-produced imported potatoes have good prospects

By Susan Aro

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet -- Imported potato varieties ideal for chips and fries which scored good results when it underwent testing in northern Benguet towns have good prospects.

Provincial Agriculturist head Lolita Bentres said the fiver-year experiment period of imported potato varieties from New Brunswick, Canada which took off 2008 showed good results particularly the  Calwhite, Cherokee, and Conestog varieties.

Gov. Nestor Fongwan said imported processing varieties have great potential even if this would only be the market of potato industry.

Through initiative of the provincial government, Bentres said four imported varieties were tested in different agro-climatic conditions and locations.

Sites of production were in Buguias Seed Farm and farms in Kibungan, Atok and Mankayan.   

Adopting package of technology and cultural management practices for potato production including soil sampling, bacterial and pest susceptibility,  three  varieties showed good performance.

As a result of the trials, Fongwan said Liwayway Marketing Corporation,  a maker of potato chips, is currently on  process of undertaking  evaluation of one of the varieties given to them through Sen. Cynthia Villar.

Another batch was provided the company for evaluation. In the event that trial with Liwayway Marketing Corporation and other prospective markets such as food chains prosper, Fongwan said they have to prepare farmers to be able to catch up with market demand.

Fongwan  added with the implementation of the ASEAN Free Trade Agreement (AFTA), there would already be a sure market locally for the imported processing potato varieties as majority are coming from other countries.

Produced by farmers are table varieties while the big market demand are  processing varieties which could supply food chains and other manufacturing companies producing fries and chips,  according to Fongwan.