Nelio Compelio, a seed potato producer from Natubleng, Buguias, Benguet is one of the nine Global Industry awardees du-ring the World Potato Congress (WPC) held on June 22 to 26 in Adelaide, Australia.
He received the award on June 25 in recognition of his contribution and dedication to the growth and development of the global potato industry.
Compelio expressed his gratitude to the support and assistance provided by the Benguet State University-Northern Philippines Root Crops Research and Training Center (BSU-NPRCRTC) which made him be recognized in the potato industry locally and internationally.
Compelio started as a farmer cooperator of NPRCRTC in the 1990’s when he joined the series of training conducted by the center on seed potato production and became an early adopter of the Apical Rooted Cuttings (ARC) technology using the Igorota potato variety produced by the Center.
With the knowledge and skills acquired, he has been successfully producing his own quality planting material since 2013 and now one of the Bureau of Plant Industry accredited potato seed producer in the Benguet.
He currently engages in potato cutting production business, providing employment in the locality.
He also established the Bileng Binnadang Farmers Association which practices the “plant now, pay later” scheme.
Compelio said the award is a result of a team effort with NPRCRTC.
He encouraged other root crop farmers to adopt the technologies being provided by the Center and not be dependent on imported seeds.
NPRCRTC Director Teresita Masangcay said he is proud of the achievement of Compelio and for recognizing the contribution of the Center.
Masangay Nominated Compelio for the WPC industrial award. – Alma Santiago
