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| DAR regional director Virgilio L. Acuña (standing) spearheads the dialogue on revitalizing the garlic and onion industry in agrarian reform areas in Ilocos region. (Jopo Guerrero) |
San Juan, La Union—Aiming to address production and marketing problems, the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) conducted a dialogue on revitalizing the garlic and onion industry in agrarian reform areas in Ilocos region.
Dar regional director Virgilio L. Acuña said there is a production slump in the industry resulting to 94% importation in garlic and 60% for onion.
Studies show that plant diseases, lack of quality seedlings, entry of cheap imports, smuggled garlic and onion and lack of new production technology contributed to the decline of the quality and volume of production resulting to huge losses.Mr. Acuña said the activity will help DAR in knowing directly from the farmers their present status and predicaments in the light of the current situation of the industry.
“We would like to determine the type of assistance that can be provided to the farmers by the government, local government units and private sector such as technical assistance, credit, post-harvest facilities and market support among others,” he added.
Joining Mr. Acuña during the activity were Ilocos Sur congressman DV Savellano, DAR head executive assistant Shiela Enciso, DAR Region XI director Joseph Orilla and La Union vice governor Aureo Nisce.
Provincial agrarian reform program officer Vic M. Ines headed the Ilocos Norte delegation to the dialogue.
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BARD NOTES: Happy bard-reading to Ilocos Norte Governor Imee R. Marcos, Laoag City Mayor Chevylle V. Farinas, Laoag City Vice Mayor Michael V. Farinas, Ilocos Norte Provincial Treasurer Josephine P. Calajate, INWD General Manager John Teodoro, Dr. Miramar Bumanglag, DAR-Ilocos Norte PARPO II Vic M. Ines, DAR-Ilocos Norte CAO Rudy Acacio and PNB Laoag Branch Manager Metty V. Guerrero.
Greetings also to the employees of AMA Laoag, Laoag City PNP, DAR Ilocos Norte, DepEd Laoag, DepEd Ilocos Norte, PNB Laoag and to the residents of Barangay 6, San Agustin, Laoag City.