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In the heart of the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) of the Philippines, sprawling across 11,000 hectares dedicated to potato production, agriculture is not just a livelihood; it is a way of life for many families. However, the sector faces significant challenges, primarily the limited availability of high-quality seed potatoes. To explore these issues and the potential solutions, we had the pleasure of interviewing two exceptional participants from the recently concluded World Potato Congress (WPC) held in Adelaide, Australia: Mr. Nelio Compelio, a pioneering farmer who has embraced innovative techniques in potato farming, and Ms. Jennie Balao, a researcher dedicated to improving agricultural practices in the region.

Mr. and Mrs. Compelio at their rooftop greenhouse. Photo credit Nelio Compelio

What one would not expect to find, when visiting the region, is a potato greenhouse nestled upon a flat roof topped home.  This home and greenhouse are owned by Nelio Compelio,a recent World Potato Congress Global Industry Award recipient.

Nelio’s journey into potato farming can be traced back to a pivotal moment in 1991, when his uncle, Peter Raymundo, paid him a visit.  Peter, an established farmer and a cooperator of the BSU Northern Philippine Research and Training Center, shared with Nelio six seed potatoes of a newly developed variety known as LBR 0-5.  This variety would later receive a name, Igorota, a traditional reference and tribute to the hard working women in the region.

After planting the seeds, Nelio and his family witnessed remarkable results. The Igorota variety not only outperformed the well-known Granola variety but also proved to be more resilient against common potato diseases including late blight. This experience provided Nelio with a deeper appreciation for quality seeds and their potential in agriculture and food security in the region.

“My Uncle also accompanied me to the BSU Northern Philippine Research and Training Center (NPRCRTC) and they invited me to become one of their farmer cooperators.  NPRCRTC introduced and taught me the technique of Apical Rooted Cuttings (ARC).  The Center also introduced me to the community-based apical cutting production and helped me in convincing my co-farmers to embrace the technology.”

Jennie Balao works at the Benquet State University in the NPRCRTC as a tissueculturalist and resource person. Jennie, another successful WPC bursary applicant to attend the Adelaide Congress, assists in the training on micropropagation techniques and indexing invitro plantlets and mother plants in their nursery. Providing some background, Jennie explained “The International Potato Center (CIP) in the 1980’s and 90’s, partnered with the NPRCRTC to conduct research on potato varieties suitable for Philippine climatic conditions, and provided training on seed potato production,effective farming techniques, resource management and community engagement.”

“Technology on apical rooted cuttings (ARC) was introduced to the NPRCRTC

with the establishment of a plant tissue culture laboratory. One of the early adopters of using ARCs with the Igorota was Mr. Nelio Compelio.  His commitment and dedication in farming helped him grow the industry.” says Jennie.

Under a project titled “ Binnadang”, a local term which means “helping one another”, Nelio produces Apical Root Cuttings (ARCs) and minitubers from tissue culture material for over 40 farmers.

“Nelio Compelio and his family’s ARC business has been and remains to be our main lead farmer cooperator. His pioneering work with the variety Igorota has been the model ARC business that is our example of how to do the business.”

Starting from a simple greenhouse in Sinipsip, Buguias, in the province of Benguet, he established two additional greenhouses in La Trinidad, Benguet producing an average of 230,500 ARCs and mini-tubers.  These are planted on his 3.84 hectares of land, as well as by relatives, neighbors and other famers in Benguet.

The NPRCRTC partners with the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Science and Technology, and local governments to enhance the quality of planting materials and provide essential training to farmers.

Jennie Balao highlighted the importance of these partnerships.“The training programs we conduct have significantly increased the number of accredited seed potato growers in our region,” she stated. “From just one accredited grower, we now have 15, cultivating nearly 39 hectares coming from ARCs. The continuous training and support from NPRCRTC have empowered farmers to take charge of their production methods, ultimately contributing to food security in the region.”

Planting seasons vary in the region. The Igorota variety is known for its resistance and high yielding, while Granola, an early maturing variety, can be grown in low to mid-elevation areas of Benguet and Mountain Province.  As early as August and through until January, during the colder months of the year, farmers and seed producers multiply the Igorota variety. The Granola variety, which requires longer daylight, are multiplied and grown during the months of February to May.

Harvest from ARC planting material in Sinipsip, Buguias Benguet (photo credit Jennie Balao).

Reflecting back on their attendance at the Congress in Adelaide, Australia, the WPC provided Nelio and Jennie with additional connections and resources. For Nelio, the highlights were the networking opportunities at the congress. “Creating connections with farmers and experts from around the world has opened my eyes to new techniques and strategies that I can bring back to my community,” he said.  “Today, thanks to the knowledge gained through networking and educational webinars provided by the Word Potato Congress, we are planning to upgrade our potato seed production through the Aeroponic technology.  We have seen firsthand the impact of always using quality seed, with yield increases by as much as 50%.”

When asked about her key learnings from the Congress, Jennie noted, “The presentations on sustainable agricultural practices and the importance of quality seed were definitely a highlight. I think the presentations covered many of the issues and concerns faced in our home setting. Healthy ecosystems supports soil quality, which in turn sustains agriculture productivity and biodiversity. By implementing sustainable practices, we can protect our soil from erosion, contamination and soil depletion.  These topics and how to adapt to changes in climates are global issues that affect all of us, not just farmers in the Philippines.”

Under the umbrella of the World Potato Congress Inc. (WPC) driven Declaration of Dublin: Fostering Potato Partnerships for Food Security, each year, a portion of the WPC Platinum Sustaining Partner Membership fees are earmarked to provide financial support for delegates to attend the Congress.

Of the near 100 applications, funding was available for up to 20 delegates to attend the recent Congress in Adelaide,Australia — generously supported by Potatoes Australia and WPC Platinum Partners including McCain Foods, J.R. Simplot, IPM Potato Group, TriCal Group, Snow Valley, Syngenta, WD Potato Ltd., Sunrise Potato Ltd. and the Prince Edward Island Potato Board.

Benefits of Sustaining Partnership with the World Potato Congress Inc.