Oversupply of onions in N. Ecija; solution pushed

By Moises Cruz

THE Magsasaka party-list has come up with a number of solutions to the current onion oversupply in Nueva Ecija.
    The party-list's recommendations include adding cold storage facilities, prohibiting smuggling, restricting importation and improving the National Food Authority's (NFA) mandate.
    The Dept. of Agriculture estimates 10,000 kilograms of onions had been produced for every hectare of production. Onion harvests are plentiful throughout the dry season.
    The majority of farmers in Nueva Ecija are forced to throw some onions away since the price of a kilo has decreased from P120 to P30. Because of the high cost of oil, they are unable to transport it. As a consequence, traders are profiting from the situation.
    Magsasaka Rep. Argel Cabatbat said this scenario is unacceptable, especially with traders controlling the cold storage facilities in Nueva Ecija.
    "Ang sabi ng DA, walang pondo para mas maraming maipatayong cold storage facilities. Ang ginagawa nila, nili-link direkta ang farmer sa trader. 'Pag ganyan kasi, nagkakaroon ang trader ng pagkakataon na ipitin ang presyo. Ang magsasaka, sunud-sunuran lang kahit napakababa ng presyo kesa mawalan ng kita," Cabatbat said.
    Cabatbat also suggested that the budget for the agricultural sector be increased so that the DA can invest in a long-term solution to the discarded harvest. Local government units, particularly in areas where farming is the principal source of income, can set aside funds for it.
    He also mentioned that there are other solutions for farmers besides storage facilities.

    "We are stepping up our campaign against agricultural product smuggling. Filipino farmers will profit if the government is careful about importing onions and other products from foreign countries. Another thing to do is to strengthen the NFA's mandate. The NFA should extend help to all farmers who are losing money, not only palay (unhusked rice) farmers," Cabatbat said in Filipino.