The country's producers are betting on a project scheduled to regain self-sufficiency in domestic onion production.
This is due to losses since 2008 when 1,160 hectares were produced, and because of excessive imports without phytosanitary controls, which reduced it to 300 hectares.
Augusto Jiménez, from the Association of Highland Producers, explained that part of the plan is to programmatically raise the growing areas that go from one year to 24 months to aspire to produce 60 thousand quintals per month.
He added that in the first year 60,000 quintals will be produced monthly in the first 10 months, then from January to October 10 thousand more, in case of an emergency.
Jimenez recalled that this project must be protected by the Minister of Agricultural Development, Mida, because there is no use producing it if there is no market, since it has been invaded by imports.
Mauricio García, another of the producers, said that the project was delivered on September 22 to the Assembly, and that the Community Association of Highland Producers and Onion Producers hope that Mida authorities will support this initiative.
Enrique Carles, minister of Mida, has stressed that this year they have concentrated on supporting the national producer and improving the crop, which have been recovering.
In the last three months the national consumption of onions has decreased from 50 thousand to 40 thousand quintals per month.
Source: diaadia.com.pa