MANILA, Philippines — Only 18 hectares of onion plantations in the country have been damaged due to armyworm or harabas infestation, according to the Department of Agriculture (DA).
At the Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon briefing, DA Assistant Secretary and spokesman Arnel de Mesa said the number of affected plantations is low compared to the 10,300 hectares of onion plantations in Central Luzon.
“About 2,400 hectares were partially damaged with still a chance of recovery,” De Mesa said. ”Based on our data, the magnitude of damage is not yet big, but we continue to monitor, and our Regional Crop Protection Center is coordinating with our onion farmers to ensure assistance to prevent the spread of harabas.”
Farmers’ group Philippine Chamber of Agriculture and Food Inc. (PCAFI) president Danilo Fausto had earlier said the country might have to import up to 60,000 metric tons of onions as 45 percent of plantations are affected by armyworm infestations.
However, De Mesa said importation is not being considered at this time.
“Peak harvest is ongoing until April, so we will await the total harvest season before any recommendation to Secretary (Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr.) whether there is a need to import or not,” De Mesa said.
The total land area planted with onion has increased by 40 percent, he said.
The retail price of red onions dropped by P20 per kilo, to P80 per kilo compared to P100 per kilo last week.
“We will coordinate with Mr. Danny Fausto and the entire PCAFI to make sure, as their recommendation before was not to import, as many areas were planted to onions,” De Mesa said.
Fausto said PCAFI had earlier requested the DA to suspend the importation of onions until July.