As part of the government’s agenda to make the production of garlic sustainable in the country, Agriculture Secretary Manny F. Piñol is setting aside P30 million (M) credit financing for the garlic growers of Batanes.

“Our target by the year 2020 is to increase garlic production by 15%, and I believe in the potential of garlic production here in Batanes,” Piñol said during the Garlic Summit at the Batanes Experimental Station on May 8 and May 9, 2018.

“Paramihin niyo ang Batanes Red, sa tingin ko ito ang pinakamagandang variety na pwedeng padamihin sa iba pang probinsya sa bansa,” he added.

Piñol said he is looking at the possibility of making Batanes the main source of planting materials for garlic.

“Ang maganda sa mga bawang dito wala silang mga sakit.”

“For this year, we allotted P17 M for the procurement of garlic seedlings,” Piñol said.

The DA chief added that the Agency targets to expand area of production of Red Garlic in Batanes from its current 257 hectares (ha) to 500 ha.

Under the DA’s financial credit assistance, farmers can borrow up to P60, 000 per ha at six percent interest every year without collateral.

To make sure that credit assistance will be given to farmers, DA will also start designating a provincial loan facilitation team by next month.

“This is how the current administration work, ayoko na iyong pupunta iyong mga farmers na pudpud na ang kanilang mga tsinelas pero di pa rin makakuha ng loan. Kung ayaw pautangin sabihin na lang, wag nang pahirapan iyong mga magsasaka,” Piñol said.

On top of that, the DA chief committed one multiplier farm for the province of Batanes, which will serve as breeding area for native goat raising.

He also vowed to assist in the construction and repair of the fishing port of Batanes to help Ivatan farmers transport their farm produce. ### (Kristel Merle, DA-AFID)