The Department of Agriculture (DA) and the municipal government of Bacolor, Pampanga, handed over a newly constructed cold storage facility for onions to the local farmers. These beneficiaries, consisting of 24 members, are part of the Bacolor Onion Farmers Association. They manage over 60 hectares dedicated to onion cultivation along with other high-value crops.
The facility represents a first for Bacolor, offering a capacity of 20,000 bags, designed to curb post-harvest losses through effective onion storage. This is projected to extend the shelf life, maintain product quality, and potentially enhance farmers' income streams.
Eduardo Lapuz Jr., the DA Regional Executive Director, emphasized the importance of innovation and cooperative efforts in bolstering and sustaining local agriculture. "Our only request is that we work together to sustain and ensure the success of projects like this that are given to our farmers," he stated during the facility handover.
Mayor Eduardo Datu acknowledged the dedication of the farmers, urging public backing: "We always say that without farmers, we have nothing to eat. That is a reality we must all support," he remarked.
During the event, attendees toured the new facility and witnessed a memorandum of agreement signing, along with a deed of donation to formalize the turnover of the facility to the farmers' association. The DA conveyed its commitment to empower local agriculture, positioning Pampanga on a path towards modernization and sustainability.
Source: PIA