In the Philippines' Nueva Ecija, two onion cold storage facilities valued at over P42 million each were inaugurated to assist farmers in preserving harvests and stabilizing income. On June 10, under the Department of Agriculture (DA) Central Luzon's High Value Crops Development Program (HVCDP), a facility capable of holding 20,000 bags was introduced in Barangay Tagumpay, Gabaldon. This facility, valued at P42,799,780 ($730,000), was given to the Dupinga Sierra Madre Irrigators Association.
The turnover event saw the presence of DA Regional Technical Director Arthur D. Dayrit, Mayor Jobby Emata, Vice Mayor Victorino Sabino, alongside 230 local onion farmers. Dayrit stated, "The beneficiaries are urged to maintain the facility," anticipating a potential lift in earnings. Following a walkthrough, a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) and deed of donation were signed between DA Regional Field Office 3, LGU Gabaldon, and the beneficiary group.
A week prior, on June 5, a comparable facility worth P42.8 million was handed to the Valiant Primary Multi-Purpose Cooperative (Valiant MPC) at Barangay Marcos Village, Palayan City. The inclusion of 100 pallets and 1,000 plastic crates accompanies the cold storage facility. This cooperative comprises 121 members farming 171 hectares.
Nueva Ecija is noted as the leading onion-producing province in the Philippines, contributing 54.67 per cent, equating to 138,028.18 metric tons, to the national yield in 2023.
Source: Daily Tribune