DAR regional director Virgilio L. Acuña (standing) spearheads the dialogue on revitalizing the garlic and onion industry in agrarian reform areas in Ilocos region. ( Jopo Guerrero) San Juan , La Union—Aiming to address production and marketing problems, the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) conducted a dialogue on revitalizing the garlic and onion industry in agrarian reform areas in Ilocos region. Dar regional director Virgilio L. Acuña said there is a production slump in the industry resulting to 94% importation in garlic and 60% for onion. Studies show that plant diseases, lack of quality seedlings, entry of cheap imports, smuggled garlic and onion and lack of new production technology contributed to the decline of the quality and volume of production resulting to huge losses. Mr. Acuña said the activity will help DAR in knowing directly from the farmers their present status and predicaments in the light of the current situation of the industry. “We would like to de
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