THE university distributed more than 26 tons of high quality garlic planting materials to 521 farmers from the seven garlic-producing towns of Ilocos Norte in a program held at the MMSU Bodega, Oct. 9.

The seed loan was part of the project “Revitalizing the garlic industry through a sustainable seed support system” jointly implemented by MMSU, Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte, DA-I, ILAARRDEC, Garlic Growers Association of Ilocos Norte, PhilRice-Batac, ATI, and Bureau of Plant Industry.

Ilocos Norte Governor Imee R. Marcos, who graced the ceremonial activity, said this project is the result of the National Garlic Industry Improvement Program she proposed along with Senators Cynthia Villar and Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., and DA Secretary Proceso Alcala which led to a Senate inquiry on the present situation of the province’s garlic industry, and the policies and practices on the importation and distribution of garlic and onion which greatly affect Ilocos farmers.

“This seed support system that sustains garlic production in Ilocos Norte is now being realized so that farmers would increase their hectarage and, eventually, the volume of high quality harvest in the next few years,” the governor said.

The 26-ton seedstock loan by farmers was part of the 30 tons of garlic bulbs produced by MMSU and some reputable garlic growers in the province. It was bought using the P10-M fund released by the DA Central Office.

President Miriam E. Pascua assured the garlic farmers that “we are giving you quality garlic cloves so that our reputation as the producer of aromatic and quality garlic bulbs in the country would be strengthened.”

Last year, the university utilized five hectares of its more than 200-hectare production area in the main campus solely for high quality garlic varieties such as the Ilocos White, Cabuyao, Ilocos Pink, and Tan Bolters. Working in partnership with the other agencies, the university is enhancing its capability of producing high quality planting materials so that it could sustain the garlic seed system in the province.