Main Story

POT for Asha peanut now available
by Rene Cris P. Rivera

A Package of Technology (POT) for the production of Asha peanut variety is now available improving the productivity of local peanut farmers in the country.

Asha was developed and brought to the Philippines through a collaborative effort between the India-based research institution, the International Crops Research Institute for Semi-Arid Tropic (ICRISAT) and the Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR). The big-seeded peanut variety is known to produce nuts larger than those traditionally grown in the country. Due to its size and high-yielding nature, Asha has shown great potential in increasing the harvest and income of local peanut farmers.

The POT was developed by the Department of Agriculture-Cagayan Valley Integrated Agricultural Research Center (DA-CVIARC) through a three-year project on the production and promotion of Asha peanut. Initiated in April 2005, Asha was field tested in pilot areas in Cagayan including Ilagan, Isabela and Iguig.

The project aimed to evaluate and compare the adaptability and agronomic performance of Asha with locally grown peanut varieties. Various varietal tests were conducted on-station and on-farm taking into consideration plant spacing, fertilizer and lime application rates, and other technology interventions. Results of the activities served as the bases in the development of the POT for the suitable production of Asha variety in the country.

Following the development of the POT is the production of seeds for the promotion and commercialization of Asha. According to DA-CVIARC, they have produced 11,353 kg of seeds, valued at Php 567,650, using its five hectare production area in Ilagan, Isabela, and farms of DA-assisted seed growers. The seeds were distributed for planting purposes to initial farmer-producers and government accredited seed-centers.

With Asha adapting well in Philippine soil along with the developed POT, peanut yield increased dramatically by 600-1,100 kg/ha. This translates to a Php 15,000-27,000/ha increase in farmers's income.

To further promote the suitable use of Asha in the country, CVIARC produced and distributed Information Education Communication (IEC) materials. The center also conducted five batches of Asha production training in the provinces of Isabela, Cagayan, Nueva Vizcaya, and Batanes wherein a total of 333 stakeholders participated and were technically capacitated. Field days and television airings were also done to promote the POT for Asha.

Asha is now being planted nationwide due to the strong promotion of the variety. In Region 2 alone, this peanut is planted in about 47.1 hectares excluding some unaccounted for areas. In Jones, Isabela, where a community-based and village-level peanut industry continues to thrive, Asha peanut variety is being mass-produced for processing.