The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has awarded $34.1 million, or approximately ₱2 billion, to support the Philippine ube industry through its Food for Progress Program, the U.S. Embassy in Manila announced Thursday.
“I am pleased to announce that the U.S. Department of Agriculture has awarded $34.1 million for a project in the Philippines through the Food for Progress Program to support the development of the Ube (Purple Yam) value chain, an important raw material for innovative food and beverage manufacturers around the world, including the United States,” US Embassy in Manila said in a statement.
The five-year project will be implemented by TechnoServe and is expected to benefit about 12,500 Filipino ube farmers by strengthening the crop’s value chain and export potential.
Ube, or purple yam, is an important raw material for food and beverage manufacturers worldwide, including those in the United States, the embassy said.
“The project will be implemented by TechnoServe and is expected to support approximately 12,500 Filipino ube farmers over the next five years,” it said in a statement.
The initiative will be “funded through the sale of nearly 40,000 metric tons of U.S. soybean meal,“ according to the embassy.
The award comes as the Philippines and the United States mark the 80th anniversary of their diplomatic relations in 2026.
“This award will further strengthen the U.S.-Philippines diplomatic and economic partnership, which is celebrating its 80th anniversary this year,” the embassy said.
