The Department of Agriculture (DA) is taking proactive steps to improve the production of quality onions in the country, including partnering with local government units in information awareness and training programs.
Agriculture Assistant Secretary Genevieve Guevarra on Friday encouraged onion farmers to share information to address concerns affecting their industry.
“Let us practice early reporting and monitoring of unusual events in the farms,” Guevarra said during a meeting with onion growers and members of the Provincial and Municipal Agriculture Office in Nueva Ecija.
Agriculture officials led by the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) visited production areas in Bongabon and Rizal, Nueva Ecija to monitor harvest and engage farmers to be more proactive in coordinating with the DA regarding concerns and issues.
Guevarra added that government is ready to support the industry to ensure that farmers maximize productivity to increase their income.
BPI director Glenns Panganiban said the government will provide a technical support program to onion farmers and agricultural extension workers to equip industry stakeholders with effective tools and knowledge in managing the production areas.
Aside from the regular information campaign carried out by the Regional Crop Protection Center, BPI will hold training programs on Integrated Pest Management, efficient use of biocontrol agents and judicious use of farm inputs, including fertilizer and pesticides.
“We will also assist onion growers of Nueva Ecija in securing a Philippine Good Agricultural Practices (PhilGAP) certificate to enable them to access more markets,” Panganiban said.
The DA also committed to establish more storage facilities not only for onion but for other high value crops as well.
Nueva Ecija, a major grower of onions in Central Luzon, has more than 10,500 hectares planted to the onion. Nationwide, onion production is estimated at more than 300,000 metric tons in 2024.
The DA admitted that the presence of “harabas” or fall army worm has slightly affected yields, but countermeasures implemented by the local and national governments have effectively minimized the impact of the pests on onion shrubs.
Reports from the Provincial Agriculture Office noted that only eight percent of the total production area was affected.