Farmers from San Francisco, Agusan del Sur are optimistic that onion production in their town will be a profitable venture.

The farmers recently underwent a training on Good Agricultural Practices on Onion Production conducted by the Department of Agriculture – Caraga in coordination with the Local Government Unit of San Francisco, Agusan del Sur.

Municipal Agriculturist Viña Ranoco shared that some of the products sold in the local market are from other provinces and even from other regions. She encouraged the farmers to put to good use what they learn from the training so that the town will soon be producing their own onion.  She said that this way, they will no longer have to source out from other places. In addition, they can also contribute to the country’s drive to cease importation of onion through sufficient local production.

Resource Person Noe N. Parocha, East-West Seed Field Marketing Supervisor for Mindoro/Visayas/Mindanao, said that the bulk of the onion production in the Philippines is coming from Luzon with Nueva Ecija claiming the top spot.

Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) showed that in 2016 the country had a production volume of 122,594 metric tons with Central Luzon accounting for 76.1% followed by Cagayan Valley with 13.8% and Ilocos Region with 6.1% while the rest of the onion-producing areas chipped in a total of 4%.

Parocha said that the country’s current production is not enough to meet the demand, thus, it is a quite a welcome that other regions, especially in Visayas and Mindanao, are now showing interest for this crop.

“Through proper management, onion will thrive in Mindanao,” he said. Parocha further added that he saw the willingness among the farmers and noted also the support by the local government and the DA so it is really doable.

Aside from discussions on onion production, the participants also had a hands-on training on seedbed preparation and seed sowing. Elena Espina, Chairman of the Alegria Vegetable Farmers Association, said that she is thankful for the opportunity to have undergone the training since onion production is relatively new to most of them. However, she is confident that if they just set their mind to it, nothing is impossible. “I am looking forward to the day that onion production in our town will prosper because it will not only be economically good for us but it will also be our pride that we were able to do it,” Espina added.