We’re buying Ube! Purple Yam Farming Pushed For Mindanao Tribal Villages

My personal crusade and dream to uplift the lives of the neglected and marginalized tribal families of Mindanao takes a positive turn as I and Davao del Norte Governor Edwin Jubahib have agreed to join hands in introducing income opportunities for members of the Ata-Manobo tribe.

Yesterday, I called him up and convinced him to ask our friends to support us as we encourage the tribal families, who were reached by government in an isolated community in the jungles in 2019, to produce more Ube or the Purple Yam.

Ube or Purple Yam grows wild in the forest but is now also planted in the lowlands because of the huge demand for delicacies and Ice Cream.

Tribal people are experts in growing rootcrops because these are among their staple food.

I received an inquiry from a huge buyer on Mindanao’s Ube supply availability but I will reserve this bit of news later.

So, today I and Gov. Jubahib, with the support of our friends, will be buying Ube planting materials of any volume at prevailing market prices.

Everything that we buy will be turned over to the tribal villages in the mountains who will produce for the big buyer that I mentioned here earlier.

Since the demand is huge and sustained, this could actually be the key to the emancipation of the tribal families from poverty and neglect.

#KungGustoMaramingParaan!

#GovernanceIsCommonSense!

#NoNeedForGovtFundsToHelp!

(Photos of the purple yam or Ube were downloaded from public websites while photos of the tribal people in Kapalong, Davao del Norte were taken by the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) Media Team.)