THE Department of Agriculture (DA) is eyeing to use the “zoning” of suitable farmlands to prevent an oversupply of onions.
In a televised interview on Tuesday, DA Deputy spokesperson Rex C. Estoperez disclosed they will use the scheme to identify the “zones,” which are most suitable for planting onions.
“Currently, it is like there is a ‘litsong manok (roast chicken) syndrome,’ wherein if one [farmer] plants [onion], the others will follow, creating an oversupply and bringing its price down,” Estoperez explained.
He said the zoning will allow them to “balance” the interests of both farmers and consumers.
DA issued the statement as the price of onions has now reached P460 to P520 per kilo from just P260 to P280 per kilo before, owing to a supply shortage.
This has prompted some lawmakers to demand an investigation into the cause of the spike in the prices of onions.
For their part, Estoperez said they intensified their monitoring against smuggled onions and those who are involved in the possible price and supply manipulation of the commodity.
“The commitment of our monitoring team is that before the end of the year, we will identify with the help of civil society, [the onion] smugglers,” the agriculture official said.
He also reiterated the government has no plans to use importation to address the supply shortage since the harvest season for onions will start next month thus increasing its supply in the market.