Malacañang announced that the Department of Agriculture (DA) has set aside P326.97 million intended to boost the onion industry.
The allocated fund will be used for onion production, production-related equipment, farm inputs, and cold storage facilities, according to the DA's High Value Crops Development Program (HVCDP).
Of the P325.97-million alloted fund to boost onion production in the country, P69.949 million was earmarked for onion production support services, including 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.
The remaining P240.575 million will be intended for the establishment of seven onion cold storage facilities 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.
Cold storage facilities with 20,000-bag capacity will also be awarded to the New Hermosa Farmers Association in Hermosa, Bataan; Nagkakaisang Magsasaka Agricultural MPC in Talavera, Nueva Ecija; Valiant Primary Multipurpose Cooperative in Bongabon, Nueva Ecija; Salvacion United Farmers Multi-Purpose Cooperative; and the Samahang Gumagawa Tungong Tagumpay Multi-Purpose Cooperative in Rizal and Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro.
Meanwhile, 10 farmers’ cooperatives and associations (FCAs) from MIMAROPA (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan) region received P40-million financial grant through the DA Enhanced Kadiwa: Sagip Sibuyas Project. This 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 delivery to markets and cold storage facilities, and storage rental.
The DA also provides market linkage services to ensure that the onion FCAs have ready markets for their produce, including fastfood chains and institutional buyers.