ALLIUM PRODUCTION IN THE PHILIPPINES

Alliums are important vegetable crops in the Philippines. The most commonly grown species of alliums in the country are Allium cepa L. (onion), A. sativum L. (garlic), and A. ascalonicum L. (shallot). These species are widely used as spices and are common ingredients of most Filipino dishes. Data on supply and utilization of fruit and vegetable products show that about 78% of the total production of garlic and onion is used in food preparation (Anon., 1990). Alliums in dehydrated and powdered form are also used in significant quantities by industries engaged in the manufacture of instant food, soy sauce, pickled vegetables, catsup, and canned food products. In addition, their medicinal value is now well recognized, hence, some proportion of the produce goes to the pharmaceutical industry.

Allium production fits very well in the rice farming system in selected regions of the country. Alliums are usually grown after rice towards the dry season when water is not sufficient for another rice crop. Farmers utilize the rice straw from previous cropping as mulching materials in allium production. They consider onion and garlic as good cash crops with high returns to investment.