PHUbe (purple yam), a traditional Filipino crop, is experiencing rising global demand, with the market valued at around $455 million in 2024 and expected to reach $943 million by 2035. Farmers in Leyte, such as Olegario Paredes Jr., have shifted to cultivating ube due to this increasing international interest, leading to foreign buyers seeking partnerships. Local cooperatives, including the Fatima Multi-Purpose Cooperative, are now involved in ube processing and supplying to international markets. Farmers emphasize the need for training, resources, and government support to sustain production and protect local ube varieties. This shift presents economic opportunities for rural communities but requires strategic planning and investment.
Bias read (Center): The article focuses on agricultural development and economic opportunity through ube cultivation, highlighting the role of local cooperatives and the need for government support. It does not take a clear ideological stance or favor one political perspective over another. The framing remains neutral,
