The P1.3 million garlic and onion storage hanger at Barangay Nalvo, Pasuquin, Ilocos Norte (Lei Adriano photo) |
Leilanie G. Adriano
Staff Reporter
Pasuquin, Ilocos Norte—The Department of Agriculture gave a
two-storey hanger storage worth P1.3 million to this town, reputed as the
biggest producer of onion and garlic products in the entire country.
The newly-constructed
hanger-type storage measuring 12 by 12 meters located along the national
highway at Brgy. Nalvo, Pasuquin can store up to 50 tons of onion and garlic and
is expected to benefit hundreds of farmers here.
Florencio Lista Sr., Onion
and Garlic Growers Association president said their hard work to improve the
quality of garlic and onion paid off unexpectedly with a downpour of blessings
and support from the DA.
“We are very thankful for all
the blessings. Our request have yet to reach the DA and here comes their
overwhelming support,” Mr. Lista said in Ilokano language.
No less than Agriculture Secretary
Proceso Alcala and members of the management committee (ManCom) attended the
inauguration to personally deliver hybrid seeds and other post-harvest
facilities to farmers and fishermen association here.
Agriculture Sec. Procy Alcala turns over the hanger to Pasuquin farmers (Lei Adriano photo) |
Mr. Alcala and members of the
ManCom party was in Ilocos Norte in June 25 to inaugurate several multi-million
projects funded by the agriculture department as he also took the opportunity
to sit with farmers to hear their problems and tried as much as possible to
give solutions to their concerns.
To revitalize the garlic and
onion industry which was apparently dying in previous years, Mr. Alcala said he
was in Ilocos Norte to ensure that the needed assistance is given to farmers.
Through the warehouse, Mr. Alcala
said farmers can now negotiate for a better price of their products.
As a general practice, Mr. Lista
said farmers are prompted to sell their harvest immediately because they lack
storage facilities to store their products.
“If ever na tataas po ang presyo, gusto po nating masiguro na ang diretsong
makikinabang ay ang mga magsasaka,” Mr. Alcala said.
Earlier, the onion and garlic
growers association here underwent training in San Fernando, La Union to
strengthen their capacity-building and be prepared for the turn-over and
management of the storage facility.
“Our garlic and onions are
perishable goods. Now that we have a warehouse, we can wait after two months or
more so that we can negotiate for a better price,” Mr. Lista said.
From an average 800 hectares
of garlic and onion planted in this town, Mr. Lista said the association plans
to expand their production target by planting 2,000 hectares this year.
“With the support of the DA
and the provincial government, we are confident to meet our target,” Mr. Lista
added citing they have now on hand at least 10 tons reserved as planting
stocks.
Agriculture Sec. Procy Alcala discusses several issues with Pasuquin farmers (Lei Adriano photo) |
To improve quality
production, the Pasuquin farmers said they look forward to trying new
technologies such as the planting of tissue-cultured garlic and to venture into
off-season production if needed.
Aside from the inauguration
and turn-over of the hanger storage in Pasuquin town, Mr. Alcala also attended
the launching of the P6.3 million diversion dam at Brgy. Aguitap in Solsona and
seeding of Tilapia fingerlings expected to benefit around 120 farmers or about
100 hectares of rice lands also in Solsona. The DA secretary also visited the
Bacarra food terminal, a project that was worth P29 million with at least P4
million counterpart funding from the DA-Regional 1 office.
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