As part of the group’s mitigation plan for the upcoming dry spell, the Gandawan Strawberry Growers’ Association (GSGA), a farmers’ association (FA) under the Department of Agriculture – Special Area for Agricultural Development (DA-SAAD) Program, in Barangay Gandawan, Don Victoriano Chiongbian town, Misamis Occidental has diversified its agricultural activities by initiating spring onion production.
As a beneficiary of the High-Value Crops Production Project, GSGA wants to provide their members with sustainable income sources during periods of unpredictable weather patterns caused by the El Niño phenomenon. Spring onions, known for their quick harvest cycle and relatively low cultivation costs, are seen as an ideal crop to help farmers withstand the adverse effects of prolonged droughts.
“Maong sibuyas napud ang gitanom kay dili dako ug gasto, dili sige og abuno, daghan rapud mi maharvest ug ang presyo ani mahal, dili dali mobarato, dili pareha sa cabbage nga dako og gasto dayun dugay siya maharvest,” said GSGA President Virgilio C. Aclon.
[This time, we planted onions because they don’t cost much, they don’t require constant fertilization, we can harvest a lot, and their price is high; the price doesn’t drop easily, unlike cabbage which is expensive and takes a long time to harvest.]
This strategic shift to spring onion cultivation is expected to offer multiple benefits to the farmers in Barangay Gandawan. The shorter growth cycle also allows for quicker turnaround, enabling farmers to generate income even amidst prolonged dry conditions.
Moreover, the relatively low input costs and high market prices make spring onions an attractive crop for smallholder farmers aiming to sustain their livelihoods during challenging seasons.
As the El Niño forecast intensifies, GSGA farmer-members are optimistic about navigating climate-change uncertainties while ensuring economic stability.
The GSGA is expected to harvest the spring onions this coming December. ###
