The DA-Cagayan Valley, through Nueva Vizcaya Experiment Station (NVES) and Batanes Experiment Station (BES), conducted the technical briefing and method demonstration on off-season onion production on 31 August to 1 September 2023 in Basco, Batanes.

DA-NVES senior science research specialist and project leader Salvador M. Bulda led the training and capacity building activity. The on-station setup at DA-BES in Basco and Sitio Nyoy, Radiwan in Ivana will serve as a trial site for the off-season production in Batanes. The local government of Ivana successfully established their seedling production site on 11 September 2023. Once this trial proves successful, this will hopefully address the onion supply in the island.

These activities are part of the project spearheaded by DA-NVES to further outscale the off-season onion production. Funded by DA-BAR, this project came after the successful implementation of the Community-based Participatory Action Research in rice-based areas from 2017-2019 and its outscaling from 2020-2021. From the initial 20 farmer-cooperators to the 133 onion farmers in Nueva Vizcaya, this new project aims to reach 1,000 farmers more in the region. It aims to ensure the supply of onion during its lean months from December to January, at a competitive price in Cagayan Valley.

Off-season onion production employs the use of suited variety Super Pinoy in sandy loam soil, raised seedbeds, and A-type tunnel rain shelter. Sowing begins in August, planting in September, and harvesting in December. (### Rena S. Hermoso)