Onion production gets additional P94.6M in gov’t support

AN ADDITIONAL P94.6 million has been allocated to support the onion industry, with investment to include planting materials, fertilizer, storage facilities, and equipment, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said.

“The amount will be mainly used to procure planting materials of red and yellow onion varieties, as well as organic and inorganic fertilizer, which will be distributed to major onion-growing provinces,” the DA said in a statement.

Domestic price producers have been subjected to price pressures due to competition from imported onions.

Following consultations with onion farmers in Nueva Ecija and Mindoro, the DA said it will also assist in marketing their produce, establish post-harvest and cold storage facilities, and regulate imports.

“We have been addressing the issue of space and storage since 2018 to allow our farmers to temporarily tuck away their surplus,” Agriculture Secretary William D. Dar said.

In 2021, onion production declined by 11,000 metric tons (MT), according to the Philippine Statistics Authority.

In the third quarter of 2021, Ilocos Region topped the regions with production of 8.04 MT, accounting for 61.2% of national output. This was followed by Soccsksargen with an 18.3% share and Cagayan Valley with 13.7%.

Some P31.97 million has been allocated for the mechanization of the industry, which will cover the acquisition of hauling trucks, tractors, hand tractors, and seeders, among others.

Another P3.7 million will go to the construction of irrigation systems in various onion-producing areas. — Luisa Maria Jacinta C. Jocson