CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA) -- To showcase different onion varieties, the Department of Agriculture-Regional Field Office (DA-RFO)-10, in collaboration with the local government of Cagayan de Oro, the Office of Rep. Rufus B. Rodriguez of the 2nd district, and private seed companies, conducted an Allium Derby and Farmers' Forum on February 15 in Tablon.

DA-10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado highlighted that the event aims to boost onion production in the region and promote farmers’ adoption through the showcase of various technologies.

“When the cost of onions soared in 2022, it became a challenge for us, and so we decided to come up with this Allium Derby. We hope that through this, our production of onions will improve and we will become self-sufficient,” he added.

Likewise, Collado committed to allocating onion seeds and fertilizers to the Kiapo Palalan Farmers Irrigators Association, Inc. (KIPAFIA), the farmers' association (FA) tapped to assist in the derby.

KIPAFIA President Marylou P. Aljo said, “It became a learning experience for all of us, including the seed companies, since it was our first time to plant onions in the area and we found that it is suitable for onions.”

She further noted that the onions benefitted from the greenhouses, as they provided protection from heavy rains as well as from the irrigation systems, as they needed constant watering.

The FA president also mentioned that they are open to more farmers who would like to try to adopt the technology and rent their greenhouse for P500 per month.

On behalf of Rodriguez, Lawyer Craig Vincent Tibon, head of the Community Sectoral Affairs Unit, expressed his hopes that the derby will bring progress to more farmers in the locality.

Meanwhile, private seed companies that have participated in the derby include Pilipinas Kaneko Seeds, Corp., Allied Botanical, Corp., and FA Greenseeds Corp., where each company was assigned to one greenhouse at 1,000 square meters each.

Following a field tour, the produce of each seed company was judged, and Allied Botanical, Corp. was awarded “Biggest Yield Volume in Kilogram” and “Best Quality.”

“We are thankful to the DA for pushing this great event. Through this, we are able to see the potential of onions in Region 10,” said Florencio Bellita, marketing development specialist of Allied Botanical, Corp.

Following this, another onion derby will be held in DA-10’s research stations, such as the Northern Mindanao Agricultural Crops and Livestock Research Complex in Dalwangan, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon, on February 22, and the Research Center for Hillyland Development in Claveria, Misamis Oriental, on March 21. (DA-10/PIA-10)