By Cherry Joy Discaya-Garma
PIA
Onion growers in Ilocos Norte said they tend
to their farms only when funds are available.
“And when funds run out, so does farming,” Wilfredo Valdez,
president of the Vegetable Growers’ Association of Region 1.
But Valdez said onion growers have found relief after the Ilocos
Norte provincial government granted farmers’ request of additional onion seeds
and fertilizers which farmers utilize under a sharing scheme.
“Fifty percent of the production cost is funded by the
provincial government and the remaining 50 percent come from the farmers,”
Valdez said.
He said the scheme is expected to increase onion production in
the region and to promote the crop to a wider market.
The farmers’ support was also part of the province’s initiative
to alleviate unemployment.
Valdez said their farms were usually left uncultivated for
several months but since the government provided support farm production is
likely to continue.
The provincial government also provided other vegetable seeds to
promote a wider variety of produce and to further support the Ilocano farmers.
It has already given four hand tractors to the association which
members regularly use for more efficient onion production.
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