In its effort to improve production of one of the most important kitchen staples in the country, the Department of Agriculture (DA) will partner with the onion growers of Moncada, Tarlac for the establishment of a cold storage facility, which is seen to improve production and quality of produce.

During a meeting on February 20, 20019, Agriculture Secretary Manny F. Piñol committed a P250 million (M) financial loan to the Sapang Multi-Purpose Cooperative (SMPC) of Moncada, Tarlac thru the credit facilities of the Agricultural Credit Policy Council.

The Secretary stressed that he wants to prove that the Moncada onion farmers can improve their production and contribute to the national requirement of the country.

“The initial P50M will be used for the establishment of a cold storage facility,” Piñol said.

Piñol also reminded the group that the government and the farmers must work together to fight the abuse of the traders.

Currently, the SMPC has 1,000 hectares (ha) of total land area allotted for onion production, and aims to expand to 5,000 ha.

Undersecretary Evelyn G. Laviña (High Value Crops and Rural Credit) and Director Crispulo G. Bautista (DA-Region 3) also met with the onion farmers. ### (Kristel Merle, DA-AFID)