Garlic has global economic promise. “The garlic market is virtually empty[1],” says Fresh Plaza: the Netherlands, Spain, Germany, France, Italy etc. Thus, I say, export of garlic has a nice smell to it! (garlic bags[2] image above from Northboundasia.com)
Unhappily, the Philippines today produces only 10% and imports 90% of its garlic needs. Towards 100% local production, a research study was conducted with participation of the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study & Research in Agriculture, SEARCA (ANN, 05 November 2020, “Innovation Needed To Boost The Country’s Garlic Production[3], Manila Bulletin). The study was on “Enhancing Garlic Production In Ilocos” and conducted by Wilhelmina Castañeda, Sylvia Igarta, and Jay-R Baligat, all of DA-Ilocos[4], with study areas in Ilocos Norte and Pangasinan (Leander C Domingo, 01 October 2020, “DA-Ilocos Project Aims To Boost Garlic Industry[5],” Manila Times). Results showed a huge average increase in net income from organic fertilizer, P104,800/ha, more than twice higher than the net from gibberellic acid as growth enhancer, P48,360/ha.
Ilocos Region was chosen for the sites of the study because it is PH’s largest garlic-producing region, contributing more than 65% of the total for the country. More to the point, the Ilocos has the “agro-climatic suitability,” according to the report. That is to say, the soils have the natural friability and fertility to begin with, and the climate is neither too hot nor too wet for onions.
SEARCA is “pushing for technology-based innovations in garlic production” to increase yields in the country as it pursues self-sufficiency, and on top of that, export. Self-sufficiency in garlic means you produce all the bulbs you need; self-reliance in food means you produce more than enough in other foods that you can buy what you do not produce economically, such as garlic. The researchers chose self-sufficiency.
SEARCA, through its Emerging for Innovation for Growth Department, is promoting technology-based innovation among local enterprises such as in garlic. Growth toward self-sufficiency. The study was made in partnership with the DA and Bureau of Agricultural Research.
The SEARCA report explained why the organic fertilizer worked so well: “A balanced blend of organic fertilizer provides nutrient sources for important beneficial microorganisms and earthworms living in the soil.” That is to say, the organic fertilizer helped the soil microorganisms (e.g., bacteria) and macroorganisms (e.g., earthworms) thrive, as they contributed further enrichment of the soil through their wastes and, later, through their decayed bodies. (organic fertilizer image[6] from GrowOrganic at YouTube)
With the positive results of the study, the Department of Agriculture in Region 1 expects to inspire national garlic production to supply 100% the needs of the Philippines. And beyond PH? Garlic for export!
Now then, with that good news on organic fertilizer, the 6th Organic Agriculture Month is very much worth celebrating. Thank you, SEARCA!@517
[1]https://www.freshplaza.com/article/9210965/overview-global-garlic-market/
[2]https://northboundasia.com/ilocos-norte-garlic-production-exceeds-local-demand/
[3]https://mb.com.ph/2020/11/05/innovation-needed-to-boost-the-countrys-garlic-production/#:~:text=Southeast%20Asian%20Regional%20Center%20for,for%20this%20particular%20farm%20commodity.
[4]https://www.manilatimes.net/2020/10/01/business/agribusiness/da-ilocos-project-aims-to-boost-garlic-industry/774409/
[5]https://www.manilatimes.net/2020/10/01/business/agribusiness/da-ilocos-project-aims-to-boost-garlic-industry/774409/
[6]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJ3_8HV3xzo&list=UUcKbcTNOr-wl_k4IeRIeqbg&index=214
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