If potato planting trial succeeds, CAR could produce processed fries, chips for fast-food chains

Benguet, Philippines – Cordillera can become a place for potato processing to supply fast-food chains in the country if trial potato cultivation for fries and chips becomes successful.

As recalled, the DA found no potato variety that may be processed for fries and chips could be grown in the country.

The department further revealed that only the table potato variety can be planted in Benguet and Mt. Province.

Recently, a private agricultural corporation in Benguet conducted a trial planting of different varieties of potatoes that may produce processed potato fries and chips to be sold to fast-food chains in the Cordillera and other regions.

The trial planting in Benguet and Mt. Province was done by United Farmcore Corporation, with the corporation determining suitable types of potatoes that can grow better in the type of soil and climate of the places.

It said two varieties were test-cultivated, the Prada and the Papageno. Of the two samples, the Prada variety failed due to a case of bacterial wilt, while the Papageno variety is still being observed.

If the trial ends in a success, it is expected that entrepreneurs will venture into becoming local processors of potato fries and chips.

Manager of United Farmcore Corporation Editha Paayas, through PTV Cordillera, revealed that the samples of the potato variety seedlings they planted were from Holland.

“Every year met makikiusap kami diay supplier nga diyay idiay Holland nga agnay-nayon kami ti mga tallo enggana lima nga klase nga mabalin nga pang french fries ken pang chips. Tapno makita kuma nu adda ngay ti mayat nga variety nga suitable ditoy ayan tayo,” said the manager.

Paayas asked for the support of the DA for the provision of equipment and some other resources for potato processing, especially a potato processing plant as well as equipment for fries and chips production.

“Kasla dayta French fries ken chips ngay, dayta ket kasapulan na ya gamin nga talaga ti processing plant piman dayta ya. Talaga nga awan ti kasta idtoy piman ya. Ket ti met makin kaya dita tapno matulungan ti farmers tayo ket government, meaning under the Department of Agriculture kuma dagita. Tani uray anya ti inpanunot mi nga private, syempre limitado met ti resources mi,” she added.

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