How Philippine ube farming can cash in on ‘purple gold rush’
Philippine ube farmers are struggling to meet the surging global demand for the purple yam, which has become a popular ingredient in international food markets. Despite rising export values, local producers face challenges with manual farming methods and competition from neighboring countries like Vietnam and China.
Why it matters
The 'ube craze' highlights the economic potential of indigenous crops while exposing the infrastructure gaps that prevent small-scale farmers from scaling to meet global supply chain demands.
Esmeraldo Maligsa, a farmer and president of the Bohol Ube Growers Association, harvests 2,000kg (4,400lbs) of ube, the purple tuber native to the Philippines, every seven months.
The article provides a balanced report on economic growth and agricultural challenges without taking a political stance.
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