The project focuses on both the production and processing of sweetpotato. For the production, more advanced technological interventions will be introduced in the locale by innovating the traditional method of planting to turn low harvests into higher yields. To achieve the desired goal of increasing the productivity from 4 tons/ha to 8 tons/ha, the first step is to start with the suitable planting materials and appropriate farm practices and management. Hence, establishing an apical stem cutting system in a farm cluster is necessary with the massive propagation of sweetpotato crop varieties. There is an existing SP processing facility at Samar State University – Basey Campus for the processing, with processing equipment provided by DOST-PCAARRD and endorsed by DOST Region 8. The farmers and women’s associations manage it in partnership with the University. In addition, since sweetpotato is also considered a calamity crop, the project targets to distribute 6,000 kgs of sweetpotato to about 2,000 families in this time of the pandemic.
