PGIN intensifies support to onion growers

By Jennifer T. Pambid

PGIN-CMO

The Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte under the leadership of Governor Ma. Imelda “Imee” R. Marcos strengthened its efforts to support the onion production in the province as part of the governor’s initiative to alleviate unemployment in Ilocos Norte as well as to promote the crop to a wider market.

According to Wilfredo Valdez, President of the Vegetable Growers Association of Region 1, Marcos immediately granted the request for 70-gram onion seeds and additional fertilizers through the Provincial Agriculture Office (PAO).

Valdez explained that 50 percent of the production cost is funded by the provincial government and the remaining 50 percent comes from the farmers.

ILOCOS Norte Governor Imee Marcos shows Senator Cynthia Villar the onion produce from the province at the Batac City public market on October 30. The senator led a public hearing on "Policies and Practices on the Importation and Distribution of Onion and Garlic" in Batac that same day. (PGIN)

This effort is expected to increase the production of the said major Ilocano crop.

Before the program was introduced to the group, Valdez said that their farms were usually left uncultivated for several months.

They used to plant garlic but due to the market demand of pricing the crop lower, they most likely attain loss than gain profit.

The 10 cans of 400-gram onion seeds are sowed in one hectare by 100 people, providing continuous jobs and income aside from harvesting rice for many farmers.

The provincial government has also provided them other vegetable seeds to promote a wider variety of produce and to further support the Ilocano farmers.

At present, the provincial government has already given four hand tractors to the association which they regularly use for more efficient onion production.

Agriculture Sec. proceso Alcala