The Department of Agriculture (DA), through its High Value Crops Development Program has allotted P326.97 million worth of interventions that would
boost onion production in the country.
Of the said amount, P69.949 million is earmarked for onion production support services including provision of seeds, seedlings, and other farm inputs; P3.2 million for irrigation network facilities; and P1.9 million for extension support, education, and training; P6.486 million for farm production-related machinery and equipment distribution; P2.359 million for production facilities; and P2.5 million for post-harvest and processing equipment and machinery distribution.
Around P240 million is allocated for the establishment this year of seven onion cold storage facilities including a 10,000-bag capacity establishment. The facilities will be awarded to the Pangasinan Onion Growers Association in Umingan in Pangasinan and the Federation of Aritao Farmers Onion, Garlic and Ginger Association in Aritao in Nueva Vizcaya.
A 20,000-bag capacity cold storage facility that will be awarded to the New Hermosa Farmers Association in Hermosa in Bataan, the Nagkakaisang Magsasaka Agricultural MPC in Talavera in Nueva Ecija, the Valiant Primary Multi purpose Cooperative in Bongabon in Nueva Ecija, the Salvacion United Farmers Multi-Purpose Cooperative in Rizal in Occidental Mindoro and the Samahang Gumagawa Tungong Tagumpay Multi-Purpose Cooperative in Sablayan also in Occidental Mindoro.
The DA Enhanced Kadiwa: Sagip Sibuyas Project financial program will get P40 million, benefitting 10 farmers’ cooperatives and associations (FCAs) from the Mimaropa region. Of that amount, P5 million will be used for trading capital to cover the costs of procuring onions directly from farmers, hauling and delivery to markets and cold storage facilities, and storage rental.
DA is also implementing the Kadiwa Food Mobilization program wherein the Agribusiness Marketing and Assistance Service will buy produce from areas that have surplus yield to transport to areas with high demand such as the National Capital Region , as well as link onion FCAs to direct markets such as fastfood chains and institutional buyers. Jocelyn Montemayor
