Yap cites need for onion industry roadmap

Agriculture Secretary Arthur C. Yap said there is a need for a  roadmap for the onion industry.

Yap made the statement during a dialogue with onion stakeholders in Muñoz, Nueva Ecija, where he signed an agreement aimed at increasing the productivity of onion growers, open more markets for their produce and raise their incomes, while protecting their industry from unfair competition through a sustained campaign against smuggling.

Under the memorandum of understanding (MOU), which was also signed by onion pro-ducers, the DA committed to facilitate and open up linkages for Nueva Ecija onion growers in both the domestic and inter-national markets, including the possible revival of Yellow Granex onion exports to Korea and other export opportunities.

Nueva Ecija is the country’s leading onion producer. Some 18,000 hectares (has) of farmland are planted to onion. Of the 18,000 has planted to onion, more than 10,000 has are located in Nueva Ecija. 

The country’s onion production averages 180,000 metric tons (MT) a year, with Filipinos consuming around 10,000 MT of onion per month or 120,000 MT per year. 

Under the MOU, the DA committed to help identify and facilitate linkages of growers with wholesalers, retailers and institutional buyers in identified markets in Metro Manila and other major urban centers as part of the DA’s continuing efforts to boost farmers’ incomes while pulling down onion prices.

Aside from Yap, Nueva Ecija Governor Tomas Joson III also signed the MOU along with Kapisanan ng Magsisibuyas ng Nueva Ecija (KASAMNE) president and chairman Rodolfo Niones, Union of Onion Growers and Traders (UGAT) founding president Magtanggol Alvarez, and the National Growers of Onion Association (NOGROCOMA) chairperson Dulce Gozon.

According to Yap, "there is a need to strengthen our onion industry, ensure profitability and maximize the income of onion stakeholders while serving the interest of the consumers."

Yap assured that the DA is "fully committed to provide the support and assistance that our onion growers need to boost both their productivity.