Self-Sufficient Phils. Mindanao Onion Initiative Launch In GenSan Today

Four Onion seed companies will participate in a season-long Onion demonstration farming today in Barangay San Jose, General Santos City.
The Department of Agriculture, the private sector and over 100 farmers will participate in the Mindanao Onion Initiative which aims to produce enough Onion to stabilize prices in Mindanao.
The program aims to introduce modern Onion farming technology to farmers in the region following the surge of Onion prices in the country reportedly due to the lack of supply.
Dr. Sailila Abdula, Central Mindanao Agriculture Director, yesterday said the four seed companies who will participate in the Onion Derby are: East-West Seeds, Ramgo Seeds, Kaneko and Allied Botanical.
All four companies will showcase their seeds in a portion of the 5,000-square meter Demo Farm to show local farmers the modern technology in Onion farming.
The Mindanao Onion Initiative was a program which I presented to the DA after I received an assurance from my friends in the private sector that they are willing to invest in the development of the industry, including the establishment of Cold Storage facilities.
This will be my second attempt to push for the planting of Onion in Mindanao.
Following the Onion Orientation Workshop which was conducted by the DA in 2017 when I was Agriculture Secretary, farmers in several areas in Mindanao had taken to Onion farming.
The failure of the government, however, to establish cold storage facilities and a complete value chain stunted the growth of the industry in Mindanao.
These are the issues which will be addressed in the Mindanao Onion Initiative where government, the private sector and the farmers will work together to ensure the success of the program.
Today’s launching in Barangay San Jose will be witnessed by General Santos City Mayor Lorelei Pacquiao, officials of the Bureau of Plant Industry and the Agricultural Training Institute and over 100 farmers who will participate in the season-long program.
#KungGustoMaramingParaan!
(File photo shows Onions produced by Davao farmers in 2017 while the second photo shows the final meeting between me and the DA under Dir. Abdula yesterday.)