The Department of Agriculture (DA) in the Philippines is working to enhance the quality and quantity of onion production. The department is collaborating with local government units to conduct training programs and raise awareness. Recently, DA officials made surprise visits to onion farms in Bongabon and Rizal, Nueva Ecija to assess the ongoing harvest and discuss how to further support onion farmers.
Officials stressed the significance of regular monitoring to promptly address any issues that could affect the harvest. The government is ready to back the industry to ensure farmers can boost their productivity and income. The DA, via the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI), will offer a technical support program to equip stakeholders with the necessary tools and knowledge for managing production areas.
Furthermore, the DA promised to set up more storage facilities for onions and other high-value crops. Nueva Ecija, a major onion producer in Central Luzon, has over 10,500 hectares dedicated to the crop. The national production volume for 2024 is estimated to exceed 300,000 tons. Despite the slight impact of the fall army worm on the yield, the DA spokesperson expects a positive production for the year, thanks to proactive efforts from the government.
Source: www.da.gov.ph