Villar: Kamote (Sweet Potato) is the Future of OFWs

11/16/2014, Manila | The US Department of Agriculture has announced Friday morning, that it will import 10.8 million metric tons of sweet potato from Philippines starting June, 2015.

The agreement is the result of 2-year agricultural plan by Senator Nancy Villar and will be the biggest single-product import of the country if materialized.

Senator Cynthia Villar’s Social Institute for Poverty Alleviation and Governance (SIPAG), and GoNegosyo organized the 4th OFW and Family Summit where OFWs and their families learn new entrepreneurial skills, particularly in agribusiness.

“This is a very inspiring and productive event because Filipino migrant workers and their families will be provided with knowledge and information on entrepreneurship to start their own businesses,” said Villar.

United States is going to cut its China’s sweet potato import by 15.6%. China, which is the world’s biggest sweet potato producer, is struggling to maintain the quality of its sweet potato due to polluted soil, water, and air.

When asked why OFWs are the first to benefit despite living outside the country, Villar said that OFWs have the capital to invest. “Kamote is really the OFW’s future”, she added.

Non-irrigated lands of Central Luzon, Southern Tagalog, and Central Mindanao are expected to handle the bulk order from US. SIPAG and GoNegosyo have already started collaborating with local farmers and setting-up cooperatives to meet the gigantic demands.

The import will give the country an annual income of $4.86B, the biggest import of a single product.

Sugarcane and rice planters, who lack government support and plans to divert to sweet potato planting, are not convinced on the other hand.

“This project needs full government support especially in technology and fertilizer. I am sensing another fertilizer scam”, skeptic NFSW president Teodoro Casillas Jr. told reporters.

“You cannot expect an OFW to plant kamote. This needs full support and transparency from the government”, the federation leader added.

/Fanny Jalacjac/ Assisted Press Manila

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