How to grow bigger onions for export

from http://www.mb.com.ph/how-to-grow-bigger-onions-for-export/

With the impending Asean Integration whereby there will be free flow of goods within the Asean community, local farmers should think of ways that will enable them to compete better locally and in the world market.

It means they should be able to produce farm products that are better in a number of ways, which could be in terms of quality as well as in price.

One export crop that is in demand in Japan as well as other foreign markets is the yellow and white onions usually used in sandwiches. We are exporting some right now but the potential competition comes from Thailand and Vietnam.

• SEAWEED PROGRAM BENEFICIARY – Ethelmark Bohol of Baganga, Davao Oriental, is a beneficiary of the science and technology initiative to revitalize the seaweed industry launched by the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD). The target is to halt the decline in productivity, at the same time increasing the quality of the products. There is an urgent need to increase seaweed production in the Philippines to provide more employment as well as to increase export earnings. Here, Bohol is showing a Kappaphycus cottonii which is the species most in demand for the production of carrageenan.

The importing countries usually want onion bulbs that weigh about 600 grams. How can local farmers produce such sizes economically? Well, Michael Caballes of Allied Botanical Corporation knows of a theory that is corroborated by their own observations.

He said that there is a theory that bigger bulbs can be grown in areas of higher latitude (not altitude), which means northern Luzon. Also, bigger bulbs are produced when the bulb formation coincides with the coolest months of the year. Bulb formation starts two months after planting. This means that for northern Luzon, planting should be done in November so that the bulb formation stage will coincide with the cool months of January and February.

Mike also adds that the number of leaves contributes to the size of the bulb. The more the leaves, the bigger the bulb. Which means that the farmer should fertilize adequately so that more leaves will be produced. He should also pay attention to proper distancing for maximum leaf production.

Mike suggests that the government researchers should conduct experiments that will be the basis of a science-based planting protocol. To be included is the package of good agricultural practices (GAP) that will ensure acceptance of our product in the export market.

Mike notes that there are two systems of growing onion. In Nueva Ecija, the farmers transplant seedlings while in Pangasinan they practice direct seeding. The government researchers should also conduct experiments to come up with recommended techniques to produce big bulbs under the two systems.

TO INCREASE POTATO YIELD FOUR TIMES – Michael Caballes has also told us a sure way to increase the yield of Granola potatoes four times, particularly in Benguet. This is no longer theory. It is a fact.

Farmers in Benguet plant the Granola variety for the fresh potato market. The trouble is that for many farmers, production has been continually declining. The main reason is that they have been planting seedpieces that they select from their own harvest year after year. It is said that farmers are planting seedpieces that are as old as the 15th generation.

That’s the main reason for the declining productivity of the plants. Mike says that one plant of the old generation usually produces only less than ten tubers that are not uniform.

So how can farmers achieve higher production by as much as four times? The answer is for them to plant the so-called Zero Generation seedpieces imported from Holland. A number of Benguet farmers are already enjoying this by planting the newly imported seedpieces.

As per their experience, one plant of the Zero Generation seedpieces can produce 15 to 20 tubers that weigh 165 to 200 grams each. The tubers are not only bigger, they are also more uniform. Thus, they command a better price in the market.

Mike added that one kilo of the 15th generation seedpieces will only produce about 5 to 7 kilos of tubers that are not uniform. Many are small. On the other hand, one kilo of the Zero Generation seedpieces can produce 20 kilos of tubers.

The farmers can use planting materials from their harvest of Zero Generation plants up to the third generation. After that, productivity declines and they should plant once more the Zero Generation seedpieces.