We can do it! Heavily Imported Onion, Soybeans Grown Locally

A few days ago, fellow Bamboo advocate Mark Sultan Gersava sent me photos of a small farm in Palimbang, Sultan Kudarat which grows Red Pinoy Onion.
Yesterday, I also received the latest photos showing virgorous growth of the Non-GMO Soybeans planted in an Experimental Farm in Polomolok, South Cotabato.
Both these crops are heavily imported but Mindanao farmers are showing that these could be grown locally.
All that is needed to boost these agricultural industries is the establishment of a Complete Value Chain where farmers are supported from production to marketing.
For Onion, I have crafted the Mindanao Onion Initiative where with the support of the Department of Agriculture, farmers are given seeds and farm inputs with the private sector assuring farmers of a ready market at a fair price.
For Soybeans, all that is needed are facilities to process the beans into food and feed production materials.
Kayang gawin ito ng mga local farmers and since there is an established marketing system led by the private sector, our local producers could survive the competition from smuggled and imported Onion.
With government support, however, these agro-industries will be boosted and soon, the supply and prices would be stabilized.
#KungGustoMaramingParaan!
(Photos of Onion farm in Palembang, Sultan Kudarat were sent in by Market Sultan Gersava while the photos of the Non-GMO soybeans were taken in the DARBC Soybeans Experimental Farm in Polomolok, South Cotabato.)