April 20, 2016

The Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP) Bicol’s enterprise development (I-REAP) team has started its initial business planning for sweet potato, Albay’s second enterprise next to coco geonets. It conducted enterprise identification and prioritization to assess the suitability, market potential, impact on the poor and rural women’s participation in the province’s second enterprise under the guidance of Rocelyn C. De Vera of PRDP South Luzon.

According to Albay I-REAP Head Rafaelita M. Nicoleta, the process enables proponents to come up with proposals that are responsive to the value chain analysis findings and aligned with the proposed interventions identified in the Provincial Commodity Investment Plan (PCIP).

“Through enterprise prioritization, we have proper direction for the establishment of the business enterprise. Kumbaga, hindi bara-bara (In other words, we won’t do it aimlessly),” Nicoleta said.

Bureau of Agricultural Statistics (BAS) report shows that Albay has an average production of 40,167 metric tons which is equivalent to 7.17% annual share to the sweet potato production in the Philippines. Albay has 1,674.90 hectares of effective area for sweet potato production and in 2009, the province ranked second in terms of volume of production with 40,167 metric tons.

The drought-resistant sweet potato is now popular among health conscious individuals from all walks of life because of its health benefits particularly in regulating the body’s blood sugar levels and water balance. It is rich in beta carotene, vitamin B complex, vitamin C, iron, magnesium, and zinc and has anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Sweet potato is also an effective asthma and arthritis reliever. It facilitates digestion and can cure stomach ulcers as well as cancer of the colon, kidney, intestines and other internal organs.

“Sweet potato was selected because of its potential as a business enterprise especially on market demand. All municipalities in the province are engaged in camote production. By establishing an enterprise having them as suppliers, it will really increase income and create livelihood opportunities in the community,” Nicoleta explained.

Based on the enterprise prioritization, Albay’s second enterprise on sweet potato will engage in the establishment of nurseries or revitalization and strengthening of existing nurseries, provision of processing machines, construction of shared service facilities, and provision of hauling vehicles. The Project eyes value-adding sweet potato fresh roots into products like noodles, muffins, and ice cream. The team will then conduct the proponent group validation before they proceed to business planning.

PRDP is a six-year project being implemented by the DA designed to establish an inclusive, market-oriented and climate-resilient agri-fishery sector using the value chain approach. (Annielyn L. Baleza, I-SUPPORT InfoACE Unit, DA-RAFIS 5)