Onion importation will adversely affect local farmers, says agricultural group

Onion importation got the nod of approval from the Department of Agriculture, but a farmers group said this could adversely affect local farmers.

Jayson Cainglet, Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura (SINAG) executive director, said while they do not oppose importation they believe it iss not the right time to import onions.

"Wala tayong problema kung mag import, kung kailangan talaga pero usually 'yan ay sa panahon ng tapos an mag ani. Buwan ng July, August, September. Kung darating in two weeks time (ang) import, 'yun na 'yung peak harvest. Na-delay lang talaga tayo ng one month this year dahil sa Typhoon Pepito pero wala tayo problema as far as yun volume is cocnerned," said Cainglet.

The Agricultre department said importation levels were kept at a minimum and scheduled to arrive before the peak harvest of local onions.

"Hindi dadamihan yung importation kasi nga para hindi makasabay na masyadong marami doon sa peak ng harvest by march. ang must arrive date ay february 20 para masigurado rin pangalawa na hindi ulit sasabay doon sa peak harvest ng march," DA spokesperson Asec. Arnel de Mesa said.

Cainglet said some farmers are harvesting their crops even if it is too early to do so, for fear that farm gate prices might drop as soon as importations start coming in.

De mesa said the importation is a balancing act to protect consumers from high prices while making sure local farmers are not affected.

"Ang iimport ngayon napakaliit lamang. Actually, based nga doon sa deficit hindi nga kinuha 'yung buong deficit na recommendation eh na 7,000 metric tons at ang inallow 4,000 just to ensure lang na mula February 20 o mula ngayon hanggang doon sa peak ng harvest season ay walang mananamantala doon sa posible na kakulangan ng supply at biglang tataas yung presyo," he added. — BAP, GMA Integrated News