Testing of organic sweet potato technologies in full swing

Technologies on the sustainable production of organic sweet potato are currently being tested in Central Luzon.

Spearheaded by Central Luzon State University’s (CLSU) Ramon Magsaysay Center for Agricultural Resources and Environment Studies (RM-CARES), the testings are part of the project “Development of Package of Technology for Sustainable Organic Sweetpotato Production in Central Luzon.”

The project aims to advocate the use of organic farming system among sweet potato growers in the region.

Funded by the Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR) under the National Organic Agriculture Program (NOAP), the project specifically intends to lessen the cost of production of farmers and their usage of synthetic fertilizers.

“Sweet potato is common among farmers in Central Luzon,” said Jonathan Galindez, director of RM-CARES and project leader.

Galinez said the group conducted the study due to the increasing demand for organic produce due to its health and environmental benefits.

The first component of the project evaluated five sweet potato varieties -- PSB SP 30, VSP6, SPJ, Kinerots, and Japonita.

Another component of the study was the use of Trichoderma, a potent biocontrol agent used extensively to combat soil-borne diseases.

Plants with pesticidal qualities were also identified in another component. These plants were yellow ginger, kakawate leaves and hot pepper (siling labuyo).

These plants were then blended on a 1:1 ratio with water. Extracts were fermented for seven days. In the initial trials, seven different concoctions were made: yellow ginger, kakawate leaves, hot pepper, yellow ginger-kakawate, yellow ginger-hot pepper, kakawate leaves-hot pepper, and yellow ginger-kakawate leaves-hot pepper extract.

Application of the extracts or biopesticides was recommended to be done early mornings and late afternoons, when pests are most active.

Population count of pests is then recorded per treatment in which the yellow gingerkakawate leaves-hot pepper extract showed best results. Little to no damage was observed in the leaves of sweet potato plants.

The fourth component of the project looked into proper water management practices. Results showed that those plants that were not watered at all and watered only once obviously did not produce good crops and died. Those that were watered twice or more flourished.

Galindez said combining the package of technologies would produce quality organic sweet potatoes. From an average of 24 tons under farmer’s practice, production under an organic farming system can reach an average of 33 tons per hectare.

Sweet potato growers that earn an average of P35,000 per harvest then can now earn up to P250,000 per harvest.

Cecilio “Sonny” Antolin Jr. farmercooperator of the project, attested to Galindez’ claims. He also shared the advantages and noticeable differences of growing sweet potatoes using conventional practice and organic system during a field day seminar held in Brgy. San Pablo, Castillejos, Zambales.