9 hours Ago
The Department of Agriculture (DA) is planning to establish the country’s first onion research and extension center in a bid to revitalize the industry. In a news release on Saturday, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said the proposed research and extension center will be located in Bongabon, Nueva Ecija —the Philippines’ top onion producer.
Apart from the research and extension center, Tiu Laurel also committed to double the funding for the procurement of pheromone lures, allocating up to P5 million to help onion farmers combat army worms. The Agriculture chief said the DA will begin sourcing better onion seeds to help farmers increase their yields. “Our goal is clear: Make the Philippines self-sufficient in onion production, eliminate the need for imports, and increase the income of local farmers,” said Tiu Laurel.
Output Based on the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) 2024 data, approximately 12,726.11 hectares of farmland in Central Luzon were planted with onions, producing 158,088.41 metric tons - 59.
80% of the national output. Bongabon accounted for about a quarter of the region’s onion production, or roughly 15% of the country’s total output last year, according to the DA. PSA data also showed that the national onion harvest reached 264,323.
89 metric tons in 2024, up 4.48% from 2023. However, this still fell short of the projected demand of 270,000 metric tons for the year.
In 2022, onion production rose to 241,033.09 metric tons, marking a 10.54% increase from 2021, despite a backdrop of record-high prices, which were driven by a supply shortage that was worsened by delayed imports.
Prices for onions reached a record high of P700 per kilo in 2022. Data from the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) estimated monthly consumption at 17,000 metric tons for red onions and 4,000 metric tons for white onions. —VAL, GMA Integrated News.
