Taiwan garlic cultivation is being tested in various towns in Ilocos Norte in an effort to boost garlic production using advanced farming techniques.

Chonito Baldovi, high value crops development program coordinator of the Provincial Agriculture Office (PAO), told the Philippine News Agency on Tuesday that land preparations are ongoing for the planting of at least three Taiwan garlic varieties in Ilocos soil.

“The planting will start next week in demonstration farms from Badoc, Paoay, San Nicolas, Bacarra, Burgos, Pasuquin, Piddig, and Bangui,” Baldovi said in an interview.

The project is being undertaken in collaboration with the Taiwan International Cooperation and Development Fund (ICDF), along with the state-run Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) and the Ilocos Norte provincial government.

The demonstration sites will include Taiwan’s Harmonous, Block Buster, and Hanbao garlic varieties in order for local farmers to explore their potential to boost the industry.

These Taiwanese garlic varieties have their own unique features such as early maturing with mild flavor, bigger bulbs of up to 40 grams at maturity, and smooth leaves when cooked.

The first field trial was tested in Pasuquin in the early part of this year.

To reinvigorate the garlic industry in province, PAO, MMSU, and other international partner agencies continue to work on garlic research and production, including modern planting techniques, tissue culture propagation, and black garlic processing, among others.

Latest report from the Department of Agriculture shows that Ilocos Norte remains as the top producer of garlic in the country, accounting for 74 percent with an average production of 4,376 metric tons annually.

Ilocos Norte plans to expand its garlic cultivation area to improve yield of at least five tons per hectare of healthier and bigger garlic bulbs. (PNA)