The Department of Agriculture (DA) aims to replicate the success of its onion production program with other local spices such as garlic, ginger and shallots.
“These spices are very basic to us. That’s why our value proposition is that, for example, a clove of native garlic is equal in potency to that provided by the bigger-sized import,” said Agriculture Undersecretary Cheryl Marie Natividad-Caballero, who is in-charge of the DA’s high-value crops program.
She cited the international acclaim for Ilocos garlic and noted the DA’s efforts to prevent the smuggling of these valuable planting materials overseas.
“The DA is supporting efforts to preserve the garlic heritage through genomics. So, we are looking at a strategic investment in resilient agriculture…to again position our bawang as Ilocos’ white gold in the 1990s,” she said.
Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority revealed that local garlic production falls far short of national demand.
The Philippines produces only 2.6 percent of its annual garlic requirement, which stands at 146,879 metric tons. Ilocos Norte, Batanes and Nueva Ecija are the leading producers of garlic in the country.
The DA instructed its offices in Region II to procure garlic from Ilocos Norte and Batanes as early as March.
This garlic will be distributed to farmers as planting materials for the upcoming September season.
The DA aims to increase garlic production to at least 20 percent or more of the national requirement by 2025, depending on the program’s effectiveness and farmer participation.
Caballero highlighted the need for a comprehensive analysis of consumption patterns, supply sources, and the various uses of ginger and shallots.
The DA is exploring potential sources in provinces within Region IV, aiming to identify areas with existing ginger production and address any logistical challenges hindering wider distribution.
“If the challenge is logistics, then how do we now help those producing these spices and bring these to Metro Manila systematically,” Caballero said.
