Bohol tops rice harvest in Central Visayas—DA

Department of Agriculture (DA) Regional Executive Director Leo Cañeda III declared Bohol as the flagship province for agriculture in Central Visayas as he revealed 20% expansion in palay production in the province at an unprecedented growth rate of 25% in 2011, producing 231 metric tons of palay against 191 metric tons in 2010.

He expressed the same optimism for the ubi industry, calling the province as the epicenter of ubi production in the entire country as he spoke at Wednesday’s opening program of the 12th Ubi Fest.

Cañeda,  guest speaker during the opening of the 12th Ubi Festival urged industry players to bank on Bohol’s competitive advantage to increase production of the high value crop which has declined from a peak of 18 tons/hectare to the current 6 tons/hectare production.

Gov. Edgar Chatto, for his part, highlighted the  plans of the provincial government to strengthen the ubi market and support the development of a tissue lab which will allow the year round production of ubi.

Ubi and other endemic root crops are great alternatives to rice to achieve the goal of self-sufficiency, he added.

Aside from revelry and merriment for good harvest, the annual ubi fest gathers ubi farmers to share ideas on farming and investment opportunities for their products.

The festival also highlighted the Search for Ms. Ubi 2012, literary musical contests such as the balak, kuradang and rap and jingle as well as poster-making and story-writing competitions all dedicated to promote the revered and sacred Boholano root crop. The best ubi and endemic root crop produce were also recognized during closing the ceremonies last Friday.(Leah/EDCom)