AT least P326.97 million worth of interventions has been allotted for onion this year to boost its local production.

The Department of Agriculture (DA), through its High Value Crops Development Program (HVCDP) has allotted financial assistance as a response to the directive of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr.

Out of this total amount, P69.949 million is appropriated for onion production support services, including the provision of seeds, seedlings, and other farm inputs, while P3.2 million will be used for irrigation network facilities, and P1.9 million for extension support, education, and training.

In addition, the program allotted P6.486 million for farm production-related machinery and equipment distribution, P2.359 million for production facilities, and P2.5 million for postharvest and processing equipment and machinery distribution.

Also, seven onion cold storage facilities amounting to P240.575 million will be established this year in key production areas.

These cold storage facilities, with up to 10,000-bag capacity, will benefit the Pangasinan Onion Growers Association in Umingan, Pangasinan, and the Federation of Aritao Farmers Onion, Garlic, and Ginger Association in Aritao, Nueva Vizcaya.

Cold storage facilities with 20,000-bag capacity will likewise be awarded to the New Hermosa Farmers Association in Hermosa, Bataan; the Nagkakaisang Magsasaka Agricultural MPC in Talavera, Nueva Ecija; and the Valiant Primary Multi-purpose Cooperative in Bongabon, Nueva Ecija.

The Salvacion United Farmers Multi-purpose Cooperative and the Samahang Gumagawa Tungong Tagumpay Multi-purpose Cooperative in Rizal and Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro, will also receive 20,000-bag capacity cold storage facilities.

Meanwhile, a total of ten farmers’ cooperatives and associations (FCAs) from the MIMAROPA (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan) region received a financial grant totaling P40 million through the “DA Enhanced Kadiwa: Sagip Sibuyas Project.”

More than 7,800 FCA members benefited from the project in MIMAROPA.

Under the Sagip Sibuyas Project, the eligible FCAs shall use the grant of up to P5 million for trading capital to cover the costs of procuring onions directly from farmers, hauling and delivering to markets and cold storage facilities, and storage rental.

The DA also provides market linkage services to ensure that the onion FCAs have ready markets for their produce, including fast-food chains and institutional buyers.

Aside from the Sagip Sibuyas Project, MIMAROPA is one of the identified beneficiaries of the Kadiwa Food Mobilization program.

Under this initiative, the DA, through the Agribusiness Marketing and Assistance Service, will buy produce from areas that have a surplus yield to transport to areas with high demand, particularly the National Capital Region (NCR).