Department of Agriculture (DA) conducted an Onion Harvest Festival at barangay Tinajero in Bacolor, Pampanga.
This marks the first time that onions were planted in the municipality.
Bureau of Plant Industry Director Gerald Glenn Panganiban said this is part of the thrust of the Marcos Jr. administration to carry out projects that will help the agriculture sector.
“What we want is to not only put a band-aid solution, we want to be able to produce at a level that is sufficient for our population,” he emphasized.
Data from DA show that Central Luzon has the highest contribution to onion supply in the entire country at 55 percent.
To ensure security and production of the crop, the agency continues to develop programs anchored on the extension of onion plantations.
DA’s initiatives include distribution of 50 cans of white and 670 packets of red onion seeds to the Abe-Abe Ortelano Barangay Tinajero Farmers Association last year.
Farmer-beneficiary Fidel Dumas said his story proves that the project yielded productive results.
“There is potential for investment here in Bacolor. I have the courage to plant onions because the Municipal Agriculture Office and DA are behind me. The support I have been receiving from the government in my onion cultivation is a big help,” Dumas added. (CLJD/MJSC-PIA 3)