By Prince Golez
The Department of Agriculture (DA) has allocated P326.97 million for onion interventions in 2023 through its High Value Crops Development Program, Malacañang said Wednesday.
In a news release, the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said that P69.949 million is earmarked for onion production support services (provision of seeds, seedlings, and other farm inputs); P3.2 million for irrigation network facilities; and P1.9 million for extension support, education, and training.
The program also allotted P6.486 million for farm production-related machinery and equipment distribution; P2.359 million for production facilities; and P2.5 million for postharvest and processing equipment and machinery distribution.
“Seven onion cold storage facilities amounting to P240.575 million will also be established this year in key production areas. These cold storage facilities, with up to 10,000-bag capacity, will benefit the Pangasinan Onion Growers Association in Umingan, Pangasinan and the Federation of Aritao Farmers Onion, Garlic and Ginger Association in Aritao, Nueva Vizcaya,” according to PCO Secretary Cheloy Garafil.
Garafil said the 20,000-bag capacity cold storage facilities will be awarded to the New Hermosa Farmers Association in Hermosa, Bataan; the Nagkakaisang Magsasaka Agricultural MPC in Talavera, Nueva Ecija; and the Valiant Primary Multipurpose Cooperative in Bongabon, Nueva Ecija.
The Salvacion United Farmers Multi-Purpose Cooperative and the Samahang Gumagawa Tungong Tagumpay Multi-Purpose Cooperative in Rizal and Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro will also receive 20,000-bag capacity cold storage facilities, she added.
The PCO said a total of 10 farmers’ cooperatives and associations (FCAs) from the MIMAROPA region received financial grants totaling P40 million through the DA Enhanced Kadiwa: Sagip Sibuyas Project.
The project in MIMAROPA benefited more than 7,800 FCA members.
Under the Sagip Sibuyas Project, eligible FCAs shall use the grant of up to P5 million for trading capital to cover the costs of procuring onions directly from farmers, hauling and delivering them to markets and cold storage facilities, and storage rental.
In addition, the DA provides market linkage services to ensure that onion FCAs have ready markets for their produce, such as fast food chains and institutional buyers.
Aside from the Sagip Sibuyas Project, MIMAROPA is one of the identified beneficiaries of the Kadiwa Food Mobilization program.
The DA, through the Agribusiness Marketing and Assistance Service, will buy produce from areas with surplus yield to transport to areas with high demand, particularly the National Capital Region, under this initiative.
