Showing strong support and commitment to promoting food safety and ensuring the quality of onion and garlic produce in the MIMAROPA region, the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) in MIMAROPA spearheaded a comprehensive “Training on Onion and Garlic Production with Good Agricultural Practices (GAP)” on March 5-7, 2024, at CAFÉ Hall, ATI MIMAROPA, Barcenaga, Naujan, Oriental Mindoro.
Mr. Niño A. Magracia, Agricultural Technician II of the Office of the Provincial Agriculture of Romblon, one of the participants in the three-day training, said that this initiative is highly important as there are farmers who have started to venture into onion production in the province of Romblon.
Aligned with the provisions of Republic Act 10611, also known as the Food Safety Act of 2013, the training covered a lecture on food safety practices focusing on recognizing potential hazards and implementing measures to ensure the production of food that is both safe and of high quality.
Aside from discussions on onion and garlic farming technology, the participants actively engaged in workshops on the preparation of farm layouts incorporating GAP and cost analysis based on local conditions. Moreover, they also learned about proper record-keeping and understood that low onion prices do not always result in losses for farmers.
“Sa ngayon, ako ay nagkaroon din ng interes na magtanim ng sibuyas. Hindi sila magsisisi na kami ang pinapunta para kung makababa kami sa aming mga munisipyo, maituturo namin ang tamang proseso ng pagtatanim ng sibuyas at bawang alinsunod sa GAP,” explained Mr. Magracia.
The training was attended by a total of 30 agricultural extension workers and farmers from the different provinces in the region who will be partners of ATI in promoting food safety and improving agricultural practices, particularly in onion and garlic production in the region.
