USDA commits P2 billion to boost ube production in PH, encourage exports

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has awarded $34.1 million (approximately ₱2 billion) to develop the Philippines' ube (purple yam) industry, aiming to enhance farm productivity and tap into growing global demand for the staple crop.

The five-year initiative, funded under the USDA’s Food for Progress Program, will be implemented by international nonprofit TechnoServe.

The project targets support for roughly 12,500 Filipino farmers by strengthening the entire value chain—from nursery development and farm production to post-harvest handling, processing, and export market access.

Rather than a direct cash dispersal, the program is financed through the monetization of nearly 40,000 metric tons of U.S. soybean meal, with sales proceeds funding local project activities.

"Ube has become an increasingly sought-after raw material for food and beverage manufacturers worldwide, including in the United States," said U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines Lee Lipton.

Lipton added that the grant reflects the expanding economic partnership between the two nations as they celebrate the 80th anniversary of U.S.-Philippine diplomatic relations this year. DA welcomes ₱2-billion USDA grant

Meanwhile, the Department of Agriculture welcomed the ₱2 billion) grant from the USDA aimed at developing the country’s ube industry and boosting export access.

Agriculture Assistant Secretary and Spokesperson Arnel de Mesa underscored the significance of the grant, noting that the funding directly responds to a request from the Philippine government amid surging global demand for ube products in markets across the U.S., Europe, Japan, China, and South Korea.

“We are very happy na talagang tumugon sila sa request natin na magpondo sila, so malaking pondo ito (that they responded to our request to fund this; this is a major allocation),” De Mesa said, according to a report of the Philippine News Agency.

De Mesa added that major ube-producing regions—including Cagayan, Pangasinan, Quezon, Bohol, and parts of Mindanao—will be prioritized once operations begin. While program details and mechanics are currently being finalized, the DA targets a rollout within the first semester of 2027.

RA Sibag/ Paraluman News with a report from Stephanie Sevillano/Philippine News Agency