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DA awards P1.3-M garlic, onion hanger storage to Ilocos farmers

DA Secretary Proceso Alcala and the Onion and Garlic Growers Association of Pasuquin, Ilocos Norte led by its president Florencio Lista Sr. led the ribbon cutting ceremony during the inauguration of the P1.3 million garlic and onion storage hanger in Barangay Nalvo, Pasuquin, Ilocos Norte on Wednesday. Also in photo: Town mayor Felix Peter Aguinaldo and other local officials. (Lei Adriano photo)
 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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