By Joyce Lagrio, STRATCOM Correspondent

PASUQUIN, Ilocos Norte–Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU), Jollibee Group Foundation (JGF), and local farmers are poised to increase white onion output from 24,000 kilos in 2024 to 101 tons this year.

Farmer-beneficiaries pledged this during the Technology Showcase for White Onion Production and contract signing on March 18 in Pasuquin, Ilocos Norte, gathering MMSU experts, agricultural stakeholders, and local government representatives.

The contract, committing to improving agricultural practices and setting production targets, was signed by MMSU President Virgilio Julius P. Manzano, Jr., Pasuquin Mayor Robert Aguinaldo, represented by their councilor Harry Kitt Aguinaldo, councilor Rodolfo Ian Benjamin Valdez, officer-in-charge Provincial Agriculturist Maria Teresa Bacnat, Ayat ti Paquin Farmers Irrigators Association President Norman Bulosan, and JGF farmer-operators. 

MMSU Extension Director Marilou Lucas and Legal Officer Ma. Saniata Marcos, JGF Manager for Program Innovations in Agriculture Jan Paolo Vicente, and Pasuquin Municipal Agriculturist Diana Rose Bautista witnessed the contract signing.

To achieve the 101-ton white onion target, farmers are implementing recommended interventions from MMSU experts. By improving their farming methods, they aim to enhance productivity, optimize resource use, and ensure a higher yield for this season’s harvest. 

Mr. Wilfredo Valdez, a white onion farmer and cluster leader, explained that the program empowers local farmers by introducing modern techniques and promoting sustainable agricultural development. 

He noted that before the MMSU-JGF project, there were no guaranteed buyers, leaving oversized onions unsold. Valdez expressed gratitude for the project’s role in purchasing the farmers' white onions—including oversized produce previously rejected—thereby ensuring a stable and reliable market.

One innovative intervention is the water sprinkler system developed by drive mechanic and farmer Mr. Reynaldo Oba, now in use by Mr. Valdez. He explained that employing the sprinkler system in white onion production offers a practical and efficient method of irrigation.

MMSU President Virgilio Julius P. Manzano, Jr. emphasized the important role of farmers and the strong partnership with JGF in advancing agriculture. He highlighted the importance of soil health, mapping potential farmlands, and providing Soil Health Cards to help farmers optimize their yields.

With a vision to uplift farmers’ livelihoods, Dr. Manzano reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring that every intervention leads to real, measurable progress in the agricultural sector.
JGF Manager Vicente assured their company’s support to white onion farmers. He emphasized their dedication to providing continuous assistance, ensuring that farmers have access to modern farming techniques to improve productivity and sustainability.

Engr. Maria Teresa Bacnat, the officer-in-charge of the Office of the Provincial Agriculture, expressed gratitude to the two institutions for spearheading programs that benefit the local farmers. “I hope we maintain the stronger relationship between the JGF-Farmers, MMSU, and the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist,” she said.

Before the signing, participants engaged in a field visit, where they observed the application of new white onion farming technologies. A technical briefing provided insights into efficient planting techniques, soil management, pest control, and post-harvest handling. 

Farmers also had the opportunity to evaluate demonstration sites and gain practical knowledge of improved farming methods. This hands-on experience emphasized learning through practice and innovation in white onion production.

The MMSU-JGF partnership is rooted in a memorandum of agreement for the Farmer Entrepreneurship Program in 2023. It was meant to empower smallholder farmers and drive sustainable agro-enterprises.