“For me the breeding of okra and soybean for the Japan market should be a priority for this partnership with IPB,” said PCCI Agriculture Committee Chief Roberto C. Amores in a statement released by the IPB, adding that the cost of seeds will be reduced for okra and soybeans through the breeding program.
According to Mr. Amores, the program will need seeds that may be exposed to sunlight for approximately 2.5 hours and yet achieve the same quality as those exposed to the sun over four hours.
Breeding these high value crops is seen to help bring the Philippines at par with other exporters in Asia -- Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, and China -- of okra and beans to Japan.
At present, the Japanese market for okra, used mainly as a snack but also used in salads, soups, stir fry, or stews, may reach $15 million. Projections expect the sale of the commodity to grow to $100 million in five years, according to the statement.
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