DA beefs up technology for onion production

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Agriculture (DA) is strengthening technological advancement for local onion production to help boost the national requirement for the commodity.

The Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PhilMech) recently developed a mechanized planting system that would allow farmers to save on production costs.

The 10-row onion mechanical seeder (10-ROMS) is a tractor-trailed and drill type planter capable of opening a furrow, metering and delivering the seed to the furrow, and covering it while firming the seed bed.

PhilMech said the use of 10-ROMS would lead to the reduction in the cost of production and lessen requirements on seed and labor, which constitutes 28 and 21 percent, respectively.

Data showed the average onion yield in the country is 9.91 metric tons (MT) per hectare, almost 50 percent lower then the world average of 17 MT per hectare.

Traditionally, an onion grower needs 18 to 28 cans (400 grams per can) of seeds using the broadcast method. The 10-ROMS slashes the seed requirement in half and uses only 12 to 15 cans.

It also produces more yield compared to the two-row direct seed method which uses nine to 12 cans of seeds.

The DA is allocating P82 million in Iloilo for the expansion of onion production in the province as it is eyed to be a major producer of bulb onions in the country.

Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol had said the Agricultural Credit Policy Council would extend the amount under the Production Loan Easy Access program.

Iloilo targets to expand its area to 1,000 hectares with an average production of 10 MT per hectare.

Under the program, onion and garlic farmers are granted up to P150,000 loan per hectare with an interest rate of six percent per annum.

The PLEA program provides non-collateralized loans to farmers coursed through grassroot-based organizations that have been evaluated as qualified lending conduits based on program policies and implementing guidelines.

Currently, the Philippines produces only about 140,000 MT of bulb onion with Central Luzon contributing 57 percent and Ilocos region, 31 percent as total area planted to bulb onion nationwide is estimated at 16,000 hectares.

With a per capita consumption of onions in the Philippines placed at two kilograms, the estimated onion requirements every year is at 206,000 MT.

The DA already signed an agreement with the some areas in Iloilo to increase yield of the commodities by capacitating industry key players and hiking areas of production.

Under the agreement, that calls for the implementation of bulb onion and garlic production trainings, the DA will provide technological training activities, specifically on the cultural management of garlic and onion.

The Philippines is heavily dependent on the importation of garlic and onion as a measly seven percent of total consumption is being supplied locally.

The DA earlier admitted it failed to develop the industry resulting to smaller volume of production and thus resulting to importation and cartel problems.

The department is allocating at least P200 million this year for the development of garlic and onion as it targets to increase local production.