Shallots are similar to multiplier onions, but smaller, and have a distinct culinary value. They can be eaten raw, cooked, chopped, or boiled. When cooked, shallots have a delicate onion flavor that complements but does not overpower other flavors. Shallots are good cash crops with a high return on investment.
The Philippines exports and imports shallots. In terms of shallot production, Ilocos Region currently ranks second in the country. However, in the recent year, production is low and yield has fluctuated significantly due to lack of labor supply, postharvest facilities, best practices and market information.
Shallot production contributes significantly not only to national income through export earnings but also to regional employment. Hence, farmers need to produce high-quality shallots in order to meet domestic and international demand for safe and fresh produce.
With this, the Agricultural Training Institute-Regional Training Center 1 conducted Training Course on Shallot Production for Farmer Leaders on August 1-3, 2023 at ATI-RTC 1, Tebag East, Sta. Barbara, Pangasinan. This is one of the Center’s strides in providing necessary support to farmers to capacitate them boost their yields and achieve quality produce through research-based production technologies, cultivations techniques, and shared best practices of successful shallot growers in the region.
A total of 29 farmer leaders completed the three-day training with enhanced knowledge and skills enabling them prepare re-entry plans that demonstrate their dedication to putting what they have learnt from the course into action. These plans can serve as a road map for farmers to implement new techniques and strategies on their own fields, ultimately contributing to the region's shallot production expansion.
Involving specialists from the Mariano Marcos State University like Dr. Dionisio S. Bucao and Ms. Noralyn B. Legaspi as resource persons to the three-day training indicates a collaborative approach that combines academic expertise with practical experience. This multidisciplinary approach ensures a more effective training outcomes and the development of innovative solutions to address challenges faced by farmers.
Initiatives such as the shallot production training course, as well as joint efforts involving academic institutions, government agencies, and local farmers, are critical for encouraging sustainable agricultural practices, boosting livelihoods, and assuring food security in the Philippines.
