Torrijos, Marinduque – To boost onion production and promote sustainable farming practices in the province, a three-day Training on Onion Production with Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) was held on April 23-25, 2025 at the Village Sunrise Inn, Torrijos, Marinduque.
This initiative stemmed from recommendations made during the consultation and planning workshop spearheaded by the Department of Agriculture - Regional Field Office MIMAROPA in October 2024, which recognized onion production as an emerging agricultural opportunity for the province.
Throughout the training, participants were introduced to essential topics such as land preparation, seedbed establishment, sowing techniques, crop management, and post-harvest handling. To complement the lectures, hands-on activities were conducted at a farm in Brgy. Buangan, where participants engaged in seedbed preparation and seed sowing.
Guidance was provided by Mr. Ricky G. Valdez, Farm Manager of Amore Farm, and Ms. Cheri Dawn Fradejas Falogme, Media Production Specialist II of ATI-MIMAROPA. They emphasized key components such as proper site selection, off-season production techniques practiced in northern Luzon, and the principles of GAP, which focus on food safety, environmental sustainability, and worker welfare.
Moreover, the participants took part in a practical workshop on calculating return on investment, using actual cost inputs gathered during the field activities. This approach provided a more realistic understanding of the profitability of onion farming.
“Naisakatuparan po ang tatlong araw na masayang pagsasanay kung saan naibahagi ang mga angkop na teknolohiya, kabilang ang hands-on activities. Bilang kinatawan mula sa Boac, magagamit ko po ito bilang AEW para maisulong ang techno demo sa aming lugar. Nawa’y maging simula ito upang makita ng iba na posible at mahalaga ang pagsi-sibuyas sa Marinduque, lalo na sa Boac. Umaasa po kami na masundan pa ito ng mga training upang lalo pang mapaunlad ang aming kaalaman at kakayahan,” shared Ms. Jennifer L. Nabos, AEW, Boac, Marinduque.
A total of 29 participants, composed of farmers and Agricultural Extension Workers (AEWs), successfully completed the training.
