From Seed to Supermarket: Your Guide to Onion Farming in the Philippines

March 28, 2024 by Lauro Braganza

Onions, our beloved “sibuyas,” are a cornerstone of Filipino cuisine. Their sharp flavor adds depth to countless dishes, from sizzling adobo to refreshing salads. But have you ever wondered how these pungent bulbs go from farm to table? This comprehensive guide delves into the world of onion farming in the Philippines, equipping you with the knowledge to cultivate your own or appreciate the hard work behind this essential ingredient.

Knowing Your Onions: Varieties and Seasons

The Philippines cultivates two main types of bulb onions: yellow and red. Yellow onions, popular in traditional markets, come in “granex” (flat) or “grano” (round) varieties. These “short-day” onions thrive when planted earlier, typically in October. Red onion varieties, known for their longer storage life, are planted later, as late as January. Popular red onion strains include Red Creole and Red Pinoy.

Setting the Stage: Climate and Soil Requirements

Onions prefer the finer things in life – well-drained, loose loam soil with a good hold on moisture (friable) and a slightly acidic to neutral pH (between 6 and 7). The ideal climate offers cool temperatures during the early growth stages, transitioning to a drier and warmer environment as the bulbs mature.

Onion Farming: Growing Strong Seedlings

To cultivate a thriving onion crop, you’ll need a dedicated seedbed. Prepare a 1-meter wide bed enriched with animal manure and rice hulls. Sow the seeds in rows spaced 7-10 centimeters apart, ensuring even distribution to prevent damping-off disease. Lightly cover the seeds with compost and mulch using rice straw or grass clippings. Maintain consistent moisture while protecting the young seedlings from harsh sunlight and rain with a net or plastic tunnels. Gradually reduce watering and expose them to full sunlight a week before transplanting.

Preparing the Land for Success

A month before transplanting, consider incorporating burnt rice hulls into the field. Burning the rice hulls reduces weeds and diseases while improving soil texture. Traditional land preparation involves plowing and harrowing the soil, often with the help of tractors. Animal manure is incorporated at a rate of 10-15 tons per hectare before forming 1-meter-wide planting beds.

The Art of Transplanting

Once your seedlings are 4-6 weeks old, it’s time for transplanting. Gently uproot the seedlings to minimize root damage. Plant them with a spacing of 15 centimeters between rows and 3-5 centimeters between individual plants. Use markers and dibbers to ensure proper spacing and facilitate the transplanting process. Plant the seedlings deep enough for stability, but avoid burying the basal portion. Firm the soil around the base and irrigate the field thoroughly.

Feeding Your Crop: Fertilization

A general guideline suggests applying a specific mixture of fertilizers per hectare without a soil analysis. This includes ammonium sulfate (21-0-0) for nitrogen, superphosphate (0-18-0) for phosphorus, and muriate of potash (0-0-60) for potassium. Apply most phosphorus and half of the nitrogen and potassium as basal fertilizer before planting. The remaining nitrogen and potassium are provided as side-dressings at 30, 45, and 60 days after transplanting. Remember, high nitrogen levels can shorten the storage life of your onions. Combine herbicide application with hand weeding to maintain a clean and healthy crop.

Keeping Your Onions Hydrated: Irrigation

Onions require consistent moisture for proper growth. Depending on your soil type, irrigation frequency may vary between 4 and 7 days. Stop irrigation 2-3 weeks before harvest, allowing the tops to fold over slightly (20-30%). The final irrigation should be light to avoid compromising bulb quality.

Common Threats: Pest and Disease Management

Onions, like all crops, face challenges from pests and diseases. Here’s a breakdown of common threats and management strategies:

Fungal Diseases: Purple blotch, leaf blight, white-tip disease, and downy mildew can be managed by regulating humidity, removing plant debris, spraying compost tea, and practicing crop rotation.
Soilborne Diseases: Pink root can be tackled through soil solarization and resistant onion varieties.
Bacterial Diseases: Bacterial soft rot, neck rot, and onion smut can be prevented by harvesting mature bulbs only, maintaining good air circulation during curing and storage, and practicing crop rotation.
Skin Diseases: Sour skin and slippery skin are controlled through furrow irrigation, incorporating copper sulfate during fertilization, and applying fungicides.
Pests: Thrips, armyworms, cutworms, and leafminers can be deterred using overhead irrigation, high-pressure water sprays with insecticidal soap, hot pepper extract, wood ash, and strategically timed Clorox solutions (followed by thorough rinsing). Maintaining weed control also helps by

Cultivating Success: From Harvest to Storage

Harvesting

The moment of truth arrives when the onion tops fold over gracefully. This signals maturity, and it’s time for harvest. Gently pull the mature plants (bulbs) from the soil, taking care not to damage them.

Post-Harvest Curing:

Onions don’t go straight from field to table. They require a curing process to improve their shelf life and overall quality. Spread the harvested bulbs in a sunny, well-ventilated area for 10-14 days. Arrange them strategically, with the leaves of one onion covering the bulb of another, providing shade and promoting even drying.

Packing and Storage:

Once cured, clip the dried leaves to about 1.5 inches from the stem and remove the roots. Sort the bulbs based on size and quality. Traditionally, onions are packed in jute or net sacks for storage or immediate sale. Proper storage ensures your onions last for a longer period.

Beyond the Farm: The Importance of Onion Farming in the Philippines

Onion farming plays a vital role in the Philippines. It provides a source of income for many Filipino farmers and contributes significantly to the country’s agricultural sector. Additionally, onions are a key component of a healthy diet, offering essential vitamins and minerals.

Challenges and the Future:

Despite its significance, onion farming faces challenges. These include unpredictable weather patterns, fluctuating market prices, and competition from imported onions. To ensure the sustainability of onion farming, continuous research on improved varieties, disease and pest management techniques, and effective storage solutions are crucial.

From Our Fields to Your Kitchen: The Value of Knowing Where Your Food Comes From

Understanding the journey of an onion, from seed to supermarket shelf, offers a deeper appreciation for this humble ingredient. By supporting local onion farmers, you not only contribute to a vibrant agricultural industry but also savor a taste of Filipino tradition in every dish.

This guide equips you with the knowledge to

Appreciate the dedication and skill involved in onion farming.
Make informed choices when buying onions.
Perhaps, even inspire you to try cultivating your own onions!

So, the next time you reach for an onion to add its magic to your cooking, remember its story. From the fertile fields of the Philippines to your kitchen table, the journey of an onion is a testament to Filipino farmers’ hard work and ingenuity.