The Department of Agriculture (DA) Central Luzon held the Philippine Good Agricultural Practices (PhilGAP) Training for singkamas farmers in the towns of Moncada and Pura in Tarlac on 3 September 2026.

DA Central Luzon Regulatory Division Chief Dr. Xandre D. Baccay, and Assistant Division Chief Marilyn G. Velarde led the PhilGAP Training that aims to introduce Good Agricultural Practices to the singkamas farmers.

In the town of Moncada, 50 singkamas farmers attended the training on the introduction of PhilGAP wherein speaker Christian M. Canlas explained the importance of following the standards on Good Agricultural Practices in the production of agricultural products.

This was followed by the Process of PhilGAP Certification that was conducted by Deichelle R. Fernandez, who shed light to the necessities and steps in acquiring PhilGAP Certification.

This was also conducted in the town of Pura wherein 50 singkamas farmers took part in the said training. Roel R. Rubion led the Introduction to PhilGAP, while Karen Joy L. Pascua led the Process of PhilGAP Certification in Pura.

The said training aims to add knowledge to farmers and enhance their current practices and methods of farming, thereby lifting the quality and safety of their harvest and create a better opportunity in the market.

The Regulatory Division aims to support the farmers in broadening their market for the singkamas, including potential entry into global markets such as South Korea, by following the standards of PhilGAP Certification and other market requirements.

Singkamas (jicama) from the Philippines has officially expanded into the global export market through major agricultural shipments directed to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. This international milestone highlights the growing demand for local root crops and high-value agricultural commodities from the country.