The administration of President Benigno Aquino III has opted to temporarily stop issuance of importation permit for onion to ensure local farmers of profits, Mayor Amelia Gamilla said on Sunday.
Gamilla, however, said onion farmers from this town were urged to be more progressive in their production as the nation runs short of yellow onion in the months of November, December and January as reported by Dante De Lima, outgoing director of the Department of Agriculture's high value crop development.
She noted that after five years of suffering from great losses, onion farmers here are "now very happy because of the good price."
The prevailing onion price is P35 to 40 per kilo.
Onion, the town's highly popularized product, was actually the main feature of the activities, particularly during the farmers' day and street dancing competition on March 7 and 8, respectively.
"Now you can see that everybody is happy," the mayor said of her constituents. "It is a fitting tribute to our farmers who serve as engine of our development."
Gamilla said at least 3,500 hectares farmland here are planted to onion, including yellow grannex.
De Lima said the country has produced enough supply of red creoles.
"But we have the problem with the yellow," he said, noting that the latter has shorter shelf life.
He said the country runs short of yellow grannex from November to January of every year.
"We have already decided not to issue an import permit for red onion. However, you have to work hard to produce the requirement for yellow onion," he told farmers.
De Lima handed over to local officials and farmers organizations P10.4 million fund for postharvest facilities. = PNA
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