Taiwan extends microfinancing to garlic growers, processors

VALUE-ADDING. Judy Viernes shows his pickled garlic at the Garlic Incubation Center in Laoag City, Ilocos Norte on Wednesday (July 22, 2026). He is among the first garlic incubatees being assisted by the Taiwan Technical Mission in the Philippines to help revitalize the local garlic industry. (Lei Adriano)

By Leilanie Adriano

LAOAG CITY—Garlic growers and processors benefit from a microfinancing program supported by Taiwan, providing farmers and agricultural entrepreneurs with greater access to capital to improve productivity, expand operations and enhance the competitiveness of the local garlic industry.

Eric Pin Yu Chen, representative for the Taiwan Technical Mission in the Philippines, told the Philippine News Agency on Tuesday that at least 10 garlic incubatees have been selected so far this year for the grant.

"Each incubatee received PHP240,000. The amount can be used to start their business or to improve it,” he said in an interview at the Garlic Incubation Center, located at the Tabacalera compound in front of Museo Iloco in this city.

According to Chen, the financial assistance, locally known as “Sagut ti Bawang,” an Ilokano term meaning “a gift from garlic,” aims to provide incubation support to qualified beneficiaries during the start-up phase of their proposed product or until it is ready for commercialization.

Some of the products are now being showcased at the center, including pickled garlic, garlic seasoning, garlic candy and chips, among others.

He announced plans to extend the assistance to 10 garlic incubatees each year or until the garlic project being assisted by Taiwan is completed by the end of 2029.

After a year, the beneficiaries are expected to return the investment, not the exact amount borrowed, but in kind or through their developed and improved products. The market-ready products will then be connected with prospective buyers to expand their market niche.

Chen hopes that innovation and partnership with agencies like the Ilocos Norte provincial government will strengthen the garlic value chain by helping farmers and processors adopt better practices, cut post-harvest losses and boost product value.

Improved access to financing is also expected to encourage the adoption of modern technologies and support the expansion of small agricultural enterprises.

Judy Viernes, a farmer and garlic processor from Sarrat, Ilocos Norte, said he is grateful for the assistance.

He said it was a blessing in disguise that he met the Taiwan group during a garlic meeting with farmers at the Ilocos Norte Agriculture and Fisheries Extension Council in this city.

He said easier access to credit and expert guidance in product development, especially on improving garlic-based products through assessment, safety, packaging, labeling, and regulations, boosted his confidence to venture into pickled garlic as a value-added product.

Like fellow beneficiaries who participated in the business pitching program and business plan preparation training, Viernes hopes his value-added product will increase his income and create more opportunities for growth.

The partnership also underscores ongoing agricultural cooperation between the Philippines and Taiwan, particularly in advancing rural development, supporting smallholder farmers, and improving food production.