The cooperative that stood the test of time.  Its farmers are able to send their children to school.  The onion industry is valued at P2.6 billion. Infrastructure of cold storages in Metro Manila, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac and Pangasinan were developed because of it.  Exports developed.  Dollars earned.

From 1954 – 1964, sufficiency in onion was achieved.

From 1965 – 1975, domestic distribution was perfected and exports was started.  Infrastructure development started to insure the availability of onions all year round, onion being a seasonal crops.  Developed collaboration with traders, cold storage operators and exporters.

Because of RA 1296, it is always lucrative for our farmers to focus on local market.  The ban of imports developed the industry, and increased farmers’ income.

From 1976 – 1986, lands used for onions became acidic due to over-use.  Cost of fertilizers and insecticides, labor cost rose higher and higher causing higher cost of production.

1987 – 1997, due to onion farmers’ success, a lot of other farmers in other provinces and other islands started to plant onions.  This contributed to over-supply.  At this time, the GATT agreement was signed.

1998 – present, productivity contests started many years ago were resumed.  Results in ideal farmer’s lots show that our onion farmer can compete provided his inputs, interest cost, and power cost are reduced.  Interest cost went down.  Cost of inputs and power are still very high.

Competitive enhancement measures will start to be released in year 2001, four years after it was promised.

Through all these years of development, NOGROCOMA has always been and continue to be in the forefront of the onion industry.  Legislation and policy advocacy and creating a climate for growth of the onion industry is its battle cry.  Unity its aim.

Onion farmers need credit badly.  Good quality onions to compete with imported onion need to be produced.  Irrigation facilities are needed in onion farms.  New technology have to be introduced.  Climate change need mitigation measures.

There is now unity in the industry.  The farmers, traders like the Fresh Food Dealers’ Association of Manila, Inc., the cold storage operators, like the APICSO, exporters and farmers are together.

Government must reach out its hand to support the industry that earns dollars for its coffers, that developed the capability of its farmers and increased the standard of living of the onion farmers. NOGROCOMA hopes for all of this because the onion industry is deserving.

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