CITY OF ILAGAN, Isabela (PIA)—The Department of Agriculture (DA) Region 2 Cagayan Valley Research Center has successfully introduced off-season onion production in Roxas, Isabela, through the innovative use of the A-Type Tunnel Rain Shelter technology, in partnership with local farmers.
Senior Science Specialist Gemma Bagunu has said that the project employed wet-season technology for onion cultivation, leading to a significant increase in yields.
She added that traditionally, onions are grown during the dry season, but the adoption of the off-season technology has proven successful, resulting in high-quality produce and increased profits for farmers.
Bagunu encouraged onion farmers across Isabela to continue using the technology, highlighting its potential to sustain production throughout the off-season and ensure a stable supply of onions year-round.
Additionally, Agricultural Engineer Noel Cabab of CVRC shared that the off-season onion planting method can be integrated into intercropping systems with rice and corn crops.
Results of their studies indicate that onion-rice intercropping model shows promising returns on investment, further enhancing the profitability of local farmers.
With the success of these initiatives, the DA aims to empower local farmers to increase their productivity and income while ensuring a continuous supply of onions even during off-peak seasons. (OTB/MGE/PIA Region 2)
