2-crop cycle pushed to boost garlic production

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Agriculture (DA) is pushing for the two-crop cycle for garlic to boost production and minimize dependence on importation.

Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala said yesterday that he ordered the regional office in Ilocos to work with farmers in Baccara and Pasuquin in Ilocos Norte to test dual cropping by planting a month earlier than usual and using early-maturing varieties.

At present, the crop cycle for garlic can only support single planting in a year.

Garlic, which has a crop cycle of about five months from planting to harvest, grows well during dry months.

Farmers start planting garlic in October or November and harvest by February or March.

Alcala said farmers could plant as early as September so they could harvest by December and plant again within the month, which they would harvest by March.

“Planting twice a year means double income for farmers,” he said.

The DA will also test growing the crops in a nursery for a month before transferring them to the open field to save one month in the crop cycle.

Earlier, Alcala also asked officials of the Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) to fast- track its research and development initiatives aimed at developing quality planting stocks through tissue culture.

The DA intends to provide additional funds for improved high quality planting stocks.

This, as lack of available quality planting stock has been identified to be a major factor for the low production of the commodity during the last five years.

Citing the MMSU, the DA said the development of tissue-cultured planting stocks for garlic may take about four years.

Data from the DA’s Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Service showed the prevailing price of imported garlic is at P300 per kilo, while the local variety is at P250 per kilo as of June 27.