The Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD) recently conducted a back-to-back consultation meeting cum packaging workshop for onion and garlic.
Organized by the Crops Research Division (CRD), the activity led to the development of the Regional Industry Strategic S&T Plans (ISPs) for Onion and Garlic.
ISP Manager for Vegetables Leilani D. Pelegrina presented the industry needs and gaps of onion and garlic in the country and outlined the S&T interventions to address these concerns. CRD Director Dr. Jocelyn E. Eusebio encouraged the experts to take part in addressing the huge supply gap by generating and promoting promising technologies. She also stressed the central role of S&T as an engine of growth and development.
Addressing the woes of local onion farmers
Local onion production was beset by decreasing local supply as Nueva Ecija, the country’s top onion producer, was confronted by armyworm and anthracnose outbreak during the last cropping season. Dr. Jovita B. Agliam of the Office of Provincial Agriculturist of Nueva Ecija reported that at least 1,100 hectares of onion farms in 23 municipalities in the province had been affected, most notably in Bongabon, the ‘onion basket of the Philippines.’ The outbreak has significantly affected the harvest of the farmers that led to loss in income.
To address this, DOST-PCAARRD aimed to complement the efforts of the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Provincial Local Government Unit through packaging of the Regional ISP for Onion. The said plan is composed of S&T interventions covering the entire technology chain of onion from production to marketing.
The proposed frontline interventions include development of integrated pest and disease management for onion and promotion of good agriculture practices (GAP) of bulb onions and shallot. Other proposed S&T interventions that will address other important industry problems are genetic improvement¸ tissue culture with virus indexing, and improved seed system of shallot; shell life treatment system; low-cost postharvest and storage facility; mechanized weeder and harvester; technical efficiency maps; and product development, among many others.
Experts from the Central Luzon State University, University of the Philippines Los Baños, DA-Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization, Nueva Ecija University of Science and Technology, DA Regional Field Office III, and Office of the Provincial Agriculturist of Nueva Ecija attended the consultation meeting.
Addressing insufficient supply of garlic
The local garlic industry is challenged by decreasing production and area planted. The declining production is attributed mainly to low yield of existing varieties, limited area planted to garlic, and high postharvest losses.
Although efforts are gaining ground and headway, the country is still very far from achieving self-sufficiency. Marlon Cariño of Bacarra Garlic Producers Cooperative in Ilocos Norte reported incidence of purple blotch, anthracnose, and basal rot. On the other hand, Elmer Boromeo of the Farmers Federation of Cabugao, Ilocos Sur noted the tough competition with imported garlic, which results in low buying price of local produce.
Other issues discussed were the low yield potential of existing garlic varieties, absence of quality planting materials, and inadequate postharvest facilities.
Among the S&T interventions identified under the Regional ISP for Garlic were genetic improvement through induced mutation; DNA fingerprinting for identification of molecular markers with target traits; somatic embryogenesis; enhanced garlic seed system using bulbils; comprehensive pest and disease management protocol; optimized off-season and green garlic production technologies; irrigation management recommendations; development of planter and harvester; curing technology; and product development.
Experts from Mariano Marcos State University, Central Luzon State University, University of the Philippines Los Baños, DA-Bureau of Agricultural Research, DA-Bureau of Plant and Industry, and DA-Regional Field Office I participated in the meeting.
Representatives from the Agricultural Resources Management Research Division, Technology Transfer and Promotion Division, and Socio-Economics Research Division of DOST-PCAARRD were also present in the activity.