Atok, Benguet─ In this town, which literally means “mountain top” in the Ibaloi dialect, a technology field day on potato production was held recently.
The field day is part of the Science and Technology-based Farm (STBF) on potato.
At more than 7000 ft above sea level (asl), Atok is the highest point in the Philippines with road access. It is also one of the coldest areas in Benguet with temperatures dropping below zero in late December to early February. This type of climate is very suitable for growing crops like potatoes.
Around 90% of the major potato production areas in Atok are found in 5000─7000 ft asl, while the rest are found in 2000 ft asl─5000 ft asl. Potato farmers, including Magsasaka Siyentista (MS) Samuel T. Felix of the town’s Farmers’ Information and Technology Services Center, claimed that the potato varieties introduced to them, through the STBF project, are comparable or even better than Granola, the local variety commonly grown by farmers.
During the field day, Mr. Felix proved his claim by stating that an increase in yield of more than 1 t was obtained from his 2,500 m2 of land devoted to the STBF project. To witness Felix’s claim, field day participants visited the MS’s farm and some even harvested potatoes by using wooden sticks.
Ms. Esther T. Botangen, a technical expert from Benguet State University, explained the science and technology behind Felix’s increment in yield. She attributes this to the MS’s use of the Igorota variety and application of fertilizer with a 3-in-1 combination of sulfur, potassium, and magnesium.
The participants also tasted the homemade potato chips produced by the household of MS Felix. They said that the chips were comparable in taste and quality with the commercial ones. The chips were also soldcheaper. The MS ventured into processing his potato harvest for added value and of course, income.
Participants consisted of the staff members of the Municipal Government of Atok, Atok Vice-Mayor Adam Budong, Highland Agriculture and Resources Research and Development Consortium (HARRDEC) Techno Gabay Coordinator Teresita Mangili, researchers from HARRDEC and Northern Philippines Rootcrops Research and Training Center, and farmers from Atok and neighboring barangays.