CALAMBA CITY, Laguna (PIA) — As onion prices remain steep, the Department of Agriculture (DA) in Calabarzon said it will ramp up local production of the high value crop in the region.
Regional Executive Director Milo delos Reyes said on Wednesday that the DA continues to distribute agricultural inputs to onion farmers to strengthen their production and boost the supply of the crop.
“Hindi natin pinapabayaan ang mga magsasaka natin ng sibuyas dito sa rehiyon kahit iilan lamang sila dahil patuloy tayo na nagbibigay ng binhi at abono. Bagkus, patuloy nating palalakasin ang produksyon ng ating lokal na sibuyas sa mga susunod na mga buwan,” delos Reyes said.
Calabarzon region is considered an onion consumer compared to the onion-producing regions like Ilocos, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon and Mimaropa.
According to DA IV-A, only 70 hectares of farmlands are planted to onions in CALABARZON resulting in a higher demand of the crop due to a lower amount of supply.
“In terms of demand, syempre apektado din tayo with the same reason na hindi malaki ang produksyon natin ng sibuyas,” delos Reyes added.
Prices of onion in the region fetch at P500 per kilo for red onions while white onions go from P500-550 a kilo.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., concurrent DA Secretary, has shored up the Kadiwa markets nationwide to provide cheaper agricultural goods to consumers and provide a direct market for the farmers to sell their harvests.
In support of the program, the DA IV-A has been rolling out Kadiwa centers throughout the region where the public can also buy onions at lower prices.
“Patuloy din tayong nagsasagawa ng Kadiwa sa iba’t-ibang panig ng rehiyon and even sa Metro Manila upang direktang maghatid sa mamimili ang mga produktong ani ng ating mga magsasaka,” Delos Reyes added. (CH/PIA-Laguna)
