DA Allocates P5-M for 2nd Cropping of Garlic to Attain Self-Sufficiency

Manila (PNA) — The Department of Agriculture (DA) on Monday announced the allocation of P5-million for the second cropping of local garlic to attain self-sufficiency.

Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala, in a press conference, said that since only about 20 percent of garlic demand is met by local production, a second cropping season should help address the problem.

DA High Value Crops Development Program (HVCDP) director Jennifer Remoquillo, for her part, said that the while despite the P5-million estimated budget, the department is still computing final figures.

The DA chief said that only some areas in the country plant garlic such as Nueva Ecija, Ilocos Norte and some areas in Quezon, Batanes and Mindoro provinces.

Although he admitted that the department could not yet manage a 100 percent self-sufficiency in garlic within the next few years, he assured that the 50 percent mark was feasible.

The usual garlic planting season starts in October and it will take three to four months before the crops are harvested.

However, with the two-crop season scheme, farmers will start as early as August to plant garlic. The second planting season will happen three to four months after.

Since garlic does not grow during the rainy season, garlic will be planted in greenhouses, which allow for greater control over the growing environment of plants. (PNA) LGI/ANP