MANILA — The Department of Agriculture (DA) has convened stakeholders to reinforce plant variety protection and intellectual property safeguards for Philippine ube, or purple yam, according to a report by Philstar Biz. The move comes as global demand for the root crop surges, creating both opportunities and risks for local farmers.
Industry experts and government officials discussed strategies to register ube varieties under the country's plant variety protection system. The goal is to prevent unauthorized use or export of native strains and ensure that Filipino breeders and farmers benefit from the crop's growing popularity overseas.
The DA's initiative reflects a broader push to safeguard indigenous agricultural products as international markets develop an appetite for ube-based products. Strengthened IP protection could also encourage more research and development in ube cultivation and processing, helping the Philippines maintain a competitive edge.