2013 CRS Onion Report

APRIL 2014
Republic of the Philippines

Philippine Statistics Authority
BUREAU OF AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS
FOREWORD
The Philippine Statistics Authority - Bureau of Agricultural Statistics (PSA–

BAS) conducted Costs and Returns Survey (CRS) of Onion Production in August
2013. The CRS was designed to generate data on the cost structure of onion
production, average use of materials and labor inputs and measures of profitability
of onion farming in the five (5) major producing provinces, namely: Ilocos Norte,
Ilocos Sur, Pangasinan, Nueva Ecija and Mindoro Occidental.
The costs and returns data contained in this report are presented by variety
(red onion and multiplier onion) and by province. This report includes other socio-
economic variables related to onion production. The reference period of the survey
is the last completed harvest within July 2012 to June 2013.
The PSA-BAS gratefully acknowledges the financial support provided by the

National Rice Program of the Department of Agriculture (DA). Further, the PSA-BAS
deeply appreciates the cooperation of the respondents who were interviewed by the
Contractual Data Collectors (CDCs) during the survey.
We welcome comments and suggestions from our various users for the
improvement of our data system on cost of production.
ROMEO S. RECIDE
Director
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
FOREWORD i
TABLE OF CONTENTS ii
LIST OF TABLES iii
I. INTRODUCTION 1
A. Rationale 1
B. Objectives 1
II. SURVEY METHODOLOGY 2

A. Coverage 2
B. Reference Period 2
C. Sampling Frame 2
D. Sampling Design, Sample Size and Sample Selection Procedure 2
III. SURVEY OPERATION 3

A. Pre-survey Training 3
B. Data Collection 3
C. Supervision of Field Operations 4
IV. DATA PROCESSING 4
V. DATA REVIEW AND ANALYSIS 4
VI. HIGHLIGHTS OF THE SURVEY FINDINGS 5

A. Characteristics of Onion Farmers 5
B. Farm Characteristics 6
C. Farm Practices 7
D. Input Usage 12
E. Average Production Costs and Returns of Onion by Variety 15
F. Other Information 20
STATISTICAL TABLES 26
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LIST OF TABLES
Table No. Page
1 Percentage distribution of onion farmers by sex, selected

provinces, July 2012-June 2013 27
2 Average age of onion farmers and percentage distribution

by age group, selected provinces, July 2012-June 2013 27
3 Percentage distribution of onion farmers by educational

attainment, selected provinces, July 2012-June 2013 28
4 Average farming experience of onion farmers and percentage

distribution by number of years engaged in onion production,
selected provinces, July 2012-June 2013 28
5 Percentage distribution of onion farmers by main occupation,

6 Average farm size, area planted and harvested of onion focus

farm parcels, selected provinces, July 2012-June 2013 29
7 Average area planted and harvested by variety, selected

8 Percentage distribution of onion farm parcels by tenurial

status, selected provinces, July 2012-June 2013 30
9 Percentage of onion farmers by type of farm investment,

10 Percentage distribution of onion farmers by number of

cropping per year, selected provinces,
July 2012-June 2013 32
11 Percentage distribution of onion farmers by variety planted,

12 Percentage of onion farmers by source of seeds, selected

13 Percentage of onion farmers planting other crops, selected

14 Percentage distribution of onion farmers by variety planted and

method of planting, selected provinces, July 2012-June 2013 34
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15 Percentage distribution of onion farmers by month of planting
and harvesting, selected provinces, July 2012-June 2013 34
16a Percentage of onion farmers by method of land preparation and

type of labor used, selected provinces, July 2012-June 2013 35
16b Percentage of onion farmers by method of weeding, selected

17 Percentage of onion farmers by type of solid fertilizers

used and variety planted, selected provinces,
July 2012-June 2013 36
18 Percentage of onion farmers by type of liquid fertilizers used and

variety planted, selected provinces, July 2012-June 2013 36
19 Percentage of onion farmers by type of pesticides used and

20 Average quantity of planting materials used per hectare by

mode of acquisition and variety planted, selected
21 Average quantity of solid fertilizers applied per hectare by

22 Average quantity of liquid fertilizers applied per hectare by

23 Average quantity of fertilizer nutrients applied per hectare by

24 Average quantity of mulching materials used per hectare by

25 Average quantity of pesticides applied per hectare by type and

variety, selected provinces, July 2012-June 2013 40
26 Average labor utilization per hectare of onion production by

source of labor and variety planted, selected provinces,
July 2012-June 2013 40
27 Average labor utilization per hectare of red onion production

by farm activity, selected provinces, July 2012-June 2013 41
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28 Average labor utilization per hectare of multiplier onion
production by farm activity, selected provinces,
July 2012-June 2013 42
29 Red Onion: Average production costs and returns per hectare,

30 Red Onion: Average variable and fixed production costs,

31 Multiplier Onion: Average production costs and returns per

hectare, selected provinces, July 2012-June 2013 46
32 Multiplier Onion: Average variable and fixed production costs,


Pangasinan, July 2012 - June 2013 49

Pangasinan, July 2012 - June 2013 51

Nueva Ecija, July 2012 - June 2013 52

Nueva Ecija, July 2012 - June 2013 54

Mindoro Occidental, July 2012 - June 2013 55

Mindoro Occidental, July 2012 - June 2013 57
39 Multiplier Onion: Average production costs and returns

per hectare, Ilocos Norte, July 2012 - June 2013 58

Ilocos Norte, July 2012 - June 2013 60
41 Multiplier Onion: Average production costs and returns

per hectare, Ilocos Sur, July 2012 - June 2013 61

Ilocos Sur, July 2012 - June 2013 63
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43a Inter-provincial comparison of average production costs
and returns of onion per hectare by major cost item,
43b Inter-provincial comparison of profitability of onion production,

44 Percentage distribution of onion produce by disposition item,

45 Percentage of onion farmers reporting on current level of

production in comparison with the same period last year,
46 Percentage of onion farmers with higher volume of production

this year by reason for change in production,
47 Percentage of onion farmers with lower volume of production

this year by reason for change in production,
48 Percentage of onion farmers reporting problems on production,

selected provinces, July 2012 - June 2013 67
49 Percentage of onion farmers who sold produce by major buyer,

50 Percentage of onion farmers reporting problems on marketing

of produce, selected provinces, July 2012-June 2013 68
51 Percentage of onion farmers who availed of loans for onion

production and by source of loan, selected provinces,
July 2012 - June 2013 69
52 Percentage of onion farmers who are aware and availed of benefit

from government programs/interventions in onion production,
53 Percentage of onion farmers who received benefit from

government programs/interventions on onion production,
54 Percentage of onion farmers who used the benefit received and

increased farm income, selected provinces, July 2012-June 2013 70
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55 Percentage of onion farmers by perceived effect of climate
change on their farming practices, selected provinces,
July 2012 - June 2013 71
56 Percentage of onion farmers practicing natural farming using

organic fertilizers, selected provinces, July 2012-June 2013 71
57 Percentage of onion farmers who are members of farmers'

organization and by type of benefit received, selected
provinces, July 2012 - June 2013 72
58 Percentage distribution of onion farmers reporting on the plan

of farm operation, selected provinces, July 2012 - June 2013 72
59 Percentage of onion farmers reporting on the recommendations

to further improve the onion production, selected provinces,
July 2012-June 2013 73
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I. INTRODUCTION
A. Rationale
Onion (allium cepa L.), locally known as “sibuyas”, is commonly used as
seasoning in many food preparation and the most indispensable culinary
ingredient in the world. Depending on the variety, an onion can be sharp and
pungent or mild and sweet. Its pungent aroma and sharp taste makes it ideal for
spicing up meat, salads and vegetable dishes. It is also used to cure a wide array
of physiological disorders such as cough, obesity, insomnia, hemorrhoid and
constipation. Onions are rich in vitamins and minerals that are essential to our
body to fight against common cold, heart disease, diabetes, osteoporosis, and
other diseases.
Widely cultivated in the Philippines are bulb onions (e.g. red creole and
yellow granex) which are grown from seeds, while multiplier onions (shallot or
native onion) are raised from bulbs which produce multiple shoots, each of which
forms a bulb. Onion production in the Philippines posted an average annual
growth rate of 4.94 percent over the past ten (10) years from 2004 to 2013. The
country produced 134,161 metric tons of onion in 2013.
Onions are grown both for the local and export markets. The profitability of
onion farming is one of the primary concerns of policy makers in setting up goals
and strategies as they look forward to developing the sector in a globally
competitive arena. This is similarly the concern of agribusiness players who are
interested to venture in onion farming. Hence, there is a growing demand for data
on costs and returns of production. However, the conduct of Costs and Returns
Survey has not yet been made a regular undertaking of the Philippine Statistics
Authority-Bureau of Agricultural Statistics (PSA-BAS) given the limited regular
budget of the Bureau. With the funding support from the National Rice Program
of the Department of Agriculture (D.A.), the PSA-BAS conducted the 2013 Costs
and Returns Survey of Onion Production.
B. Objectives
The general objective of the survey is to generate data on costs and returns of
onion production. Specifically, the survey aims to:
• establish an updated production costs structure;

• determine indicators of profitability such as gross and net returns,
returns above cash cost, returns above variable cost, etc.;
• come up with updated data sets on average use of material and labor
inputs; and,
• generate other related socio-economic variables.
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II. SURVEY METHODOLOGY
A. Coverage
The domain of the survey was the province. The 2013 Costs and Returns
Survey of Onion Production covered the five (5) onion producing provinces.
These were Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Pangasinan, Nueva Ecija and Mindoro
Occidental.
Onion farmers who harvested onion within the reference period and
knowledgeable on the details of onion farming, particularly on the investments,
material inputs, labor expenses incurred and the disposition of produce served as
samples of the survey.
B. Reference Period
The survey was conducted in August 2013. The reference period of the Costs
and Returns Survey of Onion Production was the last completed harvest within
July 2012 to June 2013.
C. Sampling Frame
The lists of onion producing barangays with cumulative share of 80 percent

based on the total area planted served as the sampling frame. These barangays
were identified using the information from the Barangay Agricultural Profiling
Survey (BAPS). The ranking of barangays was updated through interview of key
informants such as Municipal Agricultural Officers (MAOs), Agricultural
Technicians (ATs) and Barangay Officials.
D. Sampling Design, Sample Size and Sample Selection Procedure
A two-stage sampling design was employed with the barangay as the primary
sampling unit and the sample farmer as the secondary sampling unit. The
barangays were drawn using systematic sampling from an ordered list of
barangays. The sample farmers were identified in each sample barangay using
snowball approach during data collection.
The total number of sample barangays per province was fifteen or less. If the
number of major producing barangays that contributed to 80 percent based on
area planted were more than 15, 15 barangays were selected. Those provinces
with less than 15, all barangays were completely enumerated. The use of
systematic sampling ensured representation of the barangays in the province in
terms of area planted to onion. The total number of sample farmers per province
was set at 75 and equally allocated to the sample barangays. The list of sample
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barangays per province and corresponding number of farmers were provided to
the Provincial Operations Center (POC) prior to the survey.
During data collection, sample farmers were located using snowball

sampling. The names and addresses of onion farmers residing in the barangay
were obtained from the office of the barangay chairman or any other key
informants in the barangay. It served as the data collector’s starting point in
searching for potential sample farmers.
A set of screening questions was applied to confirm if those listed actually

harvested onion during the reference period and satisfied the other criteria for
enumeration.
Whether the interviewed farmer was qualified or not, he/she was asked to
identify other farmers of onion in the barangay to be added in the initial list. The
search continued, and the farmer who met the criteria specified in the screening
questions was qualified as sample for the survey and was interviewed using the
questionnaire for the 2013 Survey on Costs and Returns of Onion Production . If
the interview was successfully carried out (meaning, all the needed information
have been supplied), the household number, full name and residential address of
the sample farmer were written in the List of Sample Farmers. The enumerator
selected again any farmer in the list as the next potential sample for the survey.
The process continued until the required number of samples in the barangay was
covered.
III. SURVEY OPERATION
A. Pre-survey Training
Two (2) levels of training were conducted. This activity aimed to have
uniform understanding of the concepts and procedures used during the course of
field operations.
The first level training involved the selected Central Office (C.O.) Staff who
served as trainers in the next level of training. The second level training was for
the Provincial Operations Center (POC) Staff and Contractual Data Collectors
(CDCs).
B. Data Collection
Data collection was carried out by the Contractual Data Collectors (CDCs)
through personal (face-to-face) interview of the sample farmer in sample
barangays using structured questionnaire. The following activities were
performed during data collection:
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• The usual courtesy call on the Barangay Officials to get permission on the
conduct of the survey;
• Requested assistance from the Barangay Officials in identifying the names
and addresses of onion farmers residing in the barangay.
• Located the residences of the identified onion farmers and asked the
screening questions to determine if the potential sample farmer was
qualified for the survey.
• Whether the interviewed farmer was qualified for the survey or not,
he/she was asked to identify other onion farmers in the barangay which
were added in the list, then the search for potential sample farmers
continued until the required sample size for the barangay was achieved.
C. Supervision of Field Operations
Field supervision was conducted by POC Staff and selected Central Office
(C.O.) personnel. Among the tasks carried out by field supervisors were the
conduct of spot checking, monitoring of data collectors work, field editing of
survey returns, back-checking the work of CDCs and preparation of field
supervision report. These activities were undertaken to ensure the quality of data
that were collected.
IV. DATA PROCESSING
Editing and coding of survey returns were done twice. Initial editing of
questionnaires was done at the Provincial Operations Centers (POCs) upon
submission of the accomplished questionnaires by the CDCs. The POC staff served
as editors. Counter editing of questionnaires was done by selected personnel of
Agricultural Accounts and Statistical Indicators Division (AASID), the lead
implementing unit at the Central Office (CO) upon submission of the edited and
coded survey returns.
Electronic data processing was done at Central Office using CSPro–based

data capture program that the Information and Communication Technology
Division (ICTD) developed. Training session on the use of data capture program
was conducted in preparation for the said activity. After the data encoding, data
cleaning was done at the AASID using MS Excel program. The output of the data
cleaning was the final set of raw data files which were used for the generation of
data tables.
V. DATA REVIEW AND ANALYSIS
Selected personnel of AASID conducted the review and analysis of the micro
data files to ensure consistency, completeness and verification of extreme values.
Extreme data were verified from the submitted questionnaires. The generated
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data tables were validated and compared with the results of the 2006 Costs and
Returns Survey of Onion Production and other relevant surveys.
VI. HIGHLIGHTS OF THE SURVEY FINDINGS
A. Characteristics of Onion farmers

(Tables 1-5)
Sex, Age, Educational Attainment and Farming Experience
• In the five (5) provinces covered in the survey, majority of the onion farmers
at 95.07 percent were males. Onion farmers in Ilocos Norte were all males.
This constituted 90.67 percent in Mindoro Occidental.
• Average age of onion farmers was 49 years old. The oldest group of farmers
was found in Nueva Ecija with an average age of 51 years. Farmers in Ilocos
Norte, Ilocos Sur and Pangasinan had an average age of 50 years. The
youngest group of farmers was noted in Mindoro Occidental with an average
of 46 years.
• By age group, onion farmers belonging to 41 to 50 years and 51 to 60 years

comprised the biggest proportion at 29.59 percent each. Only 3.29 percent
were more than 70 years old. Among the provinces surveyed, Nueva Ecija
had the highest proportion of onion farmers belonging to age group 51 to 60
years at 36.62 percent and the least proportion at 1.41 percent were more
than 70 years of age. Those aged 41 to 50 years were noted higher in
Mindoro Occidental at 33.33 percent.
• There were 31.78 percent of onion farmers who finished high school
education, 24.11 percent completed elementary level and 9.32 percent were
college graduates. In Pangasinan, about 51.35 percent of onion farmers were
high school graduates. Those who earned college degree were biggest in
Ilocos Sur at 16.90 percent. About 29.58 percent of the onion farmers in
Nueva Ecija attained elementary education.
• Farming experience of onion farmers averaged 16 years. This ranged from

11 years in Mindoro Occidental to 22 years in Nueva Ecija. Onion farmers
with farming experience of less than 11 years accounted for 44.38 percent
and those with more than 30 years comprised 10.68 percent. The biggest
proportions of onion farmers with less than 11 years of experience were
reported in Ilocos Sur at 53.52 percent and Mindoro Occidental at 64 percent.
In Nueva Ecija, 30.99 percent had 21 to 30 years of farming experience.
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Main Occupation
• Crop farming was the main occupation of 93.15 percent of the onion farmers.
Meanwhile, a few of the onion farmers at 3.84 percent worked as officials of
the government and special interest organizations, corporate executives,
managing proprietors and supervisors. Some 1.64 percent were plant and
machine operators/assemblers. Across provinces surveyed, Ilocos Sur
reported the biggest percentage of onion farmers at 98.59 percent whose
main occupation was crop farming. Ilocos Norte had the least proportion at
85.14 percent. In Ilocos Norte, about 8.11 percent of the onion farmers were
government officials, managers and supervisors.
B. Farm Characteristics
(Tables 6–9)
Farm Size and Area Planted/Harvested to Onion
• On the average, the size of onion farms in the provinces covered was 0.71
hectare. This area ranged from 0.26 hectare in Ilocos Norte to 1.48 hectares
in Mindoro Occidental.
• For this survey, the area planted/harvested of the focus parcel of onion farm
averaged 0.49 hectare. The biggest area planted and harvested to onion was
noted in Nueva Ecija at 0.79 hectare. It was smallest in Ilocos Norte at 0.17
hectare.
• By variety, area planted/harvested to red onion averaged 0.66 hectare. The

average area cultivated to red onion was 0.79 hectare in Nueva Ecija, 0.71
hectare in Mindoro Occidental and 0.48 hectare in Pangasinan. For
multiplier onion variety, Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur reported an average
area of 0.17 hectare and 0.29 hectare, respectively.
Tenurial Status
• In the representative provinces, 30.96 percent of onion farm parcels were

fully owned, 37 percent were tenanted, 11.51 percent were leased / rented
and 11.23 percent were held under owner-like possession. The remaining
9.33 percent comprised other tenurial systems like mortgaged, amortized,
rent free and held under CLT/CLOA.
• The proportions of fully owned parcel were biggest in Nueva Ecija at 53.52
percent and in Pangasinan at 39.19 percent. Tenanted farm parcels
comprised 64.79 percent in Ilocos Sur and 62.16 percent in Ilocos Norte. The
onion farm parcels in Mindoro Occidental were dominated by those held
under owner-like possession at 26.67 percent and under leased or rental
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arrangement at 28 percent. Amortized farm parcels were reported only in
Nueva Ecija at 1.41 percent and Mindoro Occidental at 1.33 percent. The
proportion of rent free farm parcels was bigger in Pangasinan at 5.41
percent.
Farm Investments
• When asked on the use of owned farm investment such as work animals on
the focus parcel of onion farm, 21.64 percent of the farmers had carabao and
3.56 percent had cattle. Ownership of carabao was cited by 47.89 percent in
Nueva Ecija and 41.33 percent in Mindoro Occidental. There were 8.11
percent who had cattle in Pangasinan. As to farm building and other
structures, 19.18 percent owned farm house and 4.11 percent had
warehouse/ storage. Nueva Ecija and Mindoro Occidental recorded the
biggest percentage of onion farmers with farm house at 40.85 percent and
25.33 percent, respectively.
• For farm machineries, irrigation pump was reported by 69.86 percent of the
onion farmers. By province, ownership of irrigation pump was cited by
45.07 percent in Nueva Ecija to 85.92 percent in Ilocos Sur. Meanwhile,
farmers with two-wheel tractor comprised 15.89 percent while those with
four-wheel tractor were mentioned by 2.19 percent. In Nueva Ecija, about
33.80 percent reported having two-wheel tractor.
• The common farm tools and implements were sprayer, spade and bolo as
reported by 80 percent, 63.29 percent and 56.71 percent, respectively. Some
30.96 percent had harrow and 33.97 percent had plow. Reports on
ownership of post hole digger, spading fork, sleds, weighing scales, hoes,
rakes and sprinklers ranged from 4.38 percent to 30.41 percent.
Provincewise, Nueva Ecija had the biggest percentage of onion farmers with
sprayer, spade and bolo at 89 to 90 percent. Harrow and plow were popular
in Mindoro Occidental with 55 to 57 percent reporting.
C. Farm Practices
(Tables 10–19)
Number of Croppings
• One cropping per year was adopted by all onion farmers in Pangasinan,
Nueva Ecija and Mindoro Occidental. In Ilocos Norte, 79.73 percent reported
one cropping and the rest had two croppings a year. On the other hand, the
practice of two croppings was common among 77.46 percent of the onion
farmers in Ilocos Sur and the remaining 22.54 percent had one cropping.
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Variety Planted
• Across the five (5) provinces covered, cultivation of red onion was
mentioned by 60.27 percent of the onion farmers. Multiplier onion was
planted by 39.73 percent.
• By province, farmers in Pangasinan, Nueva Ecija and Mindoro Occidental

planted solely the red onion variety. Growing of multiplier onion was
reported by all the farmers in Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur.
Source of Seeds
• The major source of onion seeds was the traders with 53.97 percent of the
onion farmers reporting. There were 29.86 percent who obtained seeds
from their own production. Input dealer was cited by 9.04 percent and co-
farmers by 4.93 percent. Only few sourced their seeds from seed growers
and cooperatives.
• Traders were the primary source of onion seeds of 95.95 percent in

Pangasinan and 84 percent in Mindoro Occidental. Seeds from own
produced were reported by 64.86 percent of the farmers in Ilocos Norte and
85.92 percent in Ilocos Sur. Some 29.58 percent in Nueva Ecija availed seeds
from input dealers.
Other Crops Planted After Onion
• Planting of other crops after onion was a common practice of onion farmers.
Across the provinces covered in the survey, about 84.11 percent planted
palay and 19.73 percent cultivated corn. There were few who reported
planting of vegetables, condiments, legumes and nuts, tobacco and
watermelon.
• Cultivation of palay after onion was reported by all the sample onion farmers
in Ilocos Sur and Mindoro Occidental. This practice was reported by 91.89
percent in Ilocos Norte and 73.24 percent in Nueva Ecija.
• Those who planted corn were 37.84 percent in Pangasinan, 22.54 percent
each in Ilocos Sur and Nueva Ecija, and 16.22 percent in Ilocos Norte.
• Planting of vegetables was usually adopted by 23.94 percent in Nueva Ecija

and 12.16 percent in Ilocos Norte.
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Variety Planted by Method of Planting
• Direct seeding of multiplier onion variety was practiced by 37 percent of

farmers across the representative provinces. This method was adopted by
13.15 percent of farmers growing the red onion variety. On the other hand,
transplanting was commonly done by 47.12 percent of the farmers who
planted red onion. Only few at 2.74 percent did transplanting of multiplier
onion.
• In Mindoro Occidental, transplanting was the only method used in planting

red onion. This was reported by 94.37 percent in Nueva Ecija and 40.54
percent in Pangasinan. The use of direct seeding for red onion was noted by
59.46 percent of the farmers in Pangasinan.
• For the multiplier onion variety, all farmers in Ilocos Sur performed the
direct seeding method. In Ilocos Norte, there were 86.49 percent who
practiced direct seeding method and 13.51 percent used the transplanting
method.
Months of Planting and Harvesting
• Planting of onion usually took place during the months of October to January
while harvesting was conducted mostly from March to April.
• By province, October was the planting month of 59.15 percent of the onion
farmers in Ilocos Sur and 40.54 percent in Ilocos Norte. There were 40.54
percent in Pangasinan and 56.34 percent in Nueva Ecija who planted onion
during December. In Mindoro Occidental, planting was done in January as
reported by 61.33 percent of the onion farmers.
• Harvesting of onion during December prevailed in 59.15 percent of farmers

in Ilocos Sur. January and March were the common harvesting months of
37.84 percent in Ilocos Norte and 58.11 percent in Pangasinan, respectively.
Those who harvested onion in April were noted among 68 percent in
Mindoro Occidental and 54.93 percent in Nueva Ecija.
Method of Land Preparation
• In the five (5) provinces covered, the use of two-wheel tractor for land
preparation was reported by 51.23 percent of the onion farmers. There were
43.29 percent who used the four-wheel tractor. The use of draft animal for
land preparation was cited by 10.96 percent.
• Two-wheel tractor was commonly used in Mindoro Occidental as noted

among 97.33 percent of the farmers. In Nueva Ecija, land preparation using
9
two-wheel tractor was reported by 87.32 percent and the usage of four-
wheel tractor was mentioned by 70.42 percent of the onion farmers. Man-
animal labor was employed by 24 percent in Mindoro Occidental and 8.45
percent each in Ilocos Sur and Nueva Ecija.
Method of Weeding
• Across the provinces surveyed, there were 95.34 percent of onion farmers
who used chemicals to remove weeds in their farms while 83.29 percent did
manual weeding.
• In Mindoro Occidental, all the sample onion farmers practiced both manual
weeding and chemical application in controlling weeds. Likewise, in Nueva
Ecija, chemical spraying was performed by all the sample onion farmers.
There were 92.96 percent in Nueva Ecija who did manual weeding. More
farmers in Pangasinan at 91.89 percent performed manual weeding.
Chemical application in Pangasinan was reported by 89.19 percent. In Ilocos
Norte and Ilocos Sur, chemical spraying was more adopted than the manual
method of weeding.
Users of Fertilizers
• Majority of the onion farmers indicated high preference for solid form of
inorganic fertilizers than the organic fertilizers.
• The application of the solid organic fertilizer was common in Nueva Ecija as
reported by 36.62 percent of the farmers who planted red onion. It was also
used by 11.27 percent in Ilocos Sur who planted the multiplier onion variety.
The users of organic fertilizers were less than 5 percent in Pangasinan,
Mindoro Occidental and Ilocos Norte.
• The commonly applied grades of inorganic fertilizers in solid form were

complete (14-14-14) and urea (46-0-0). For the red onion variety, urea (46-
0-0) was used by 74.65 to 84 percent of the farmers in Nueva Ecija,
Pangasinan and Mindoro Occidental. Likewise, this type of inorganic fertilizer
was utilized for multiplier onion by 54.05 percent in Ilocos Norte and 83.10
percent in Ilocos Sur.
• The usage of complete fertilizer (14-14-14) for the red onion variety was
reported by 82.43 percent of farmers in Pangasinan, 90.14 percent in Nueva
Ecija and 61.33 percent in Mindoro Occidental. For multiplier onion, the
application of complete fertilizer (14-14-14) was popular among 73.24
percent of farmers in Ilocos Sur.
10
• Ammonium sulfate (21-0-0) was another common solid inorganic fertilizer
which was used by 35 to 38 percent of the farmers who planted red onion in
Mindoro Occidental, Pangasinan and Nueva Ecija. Its application for
multiplier onion was also reported by 60.81 percent in Ilocos Norte.
• For the liquid type of fertilizers, the percentage of farmers who applied
organic fertilizers for red onion was higher in Pangasinan at 4.05 percent and
for multiplier onion, in Ilocos Sur at 5.63 percent.
• More users of inorganic fertilizers for the red onion variety such as foliar
type of fertilizer were noted in Pangasinan at 9.46 percent. For multiplier
onion, the usage of Greenbee was dominant in Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur
with 13.51 percent and 9.86 percent of farmers reporting, respectively.
Users of Pesticides
• The use of liquid form of herbicide/weedicide was popular among the

representative provinces. It was reported by 95.45 percent of farmers who
planted red onion and by 93.10 percent who planted multiplier onion.
• In particular, all sample farmers who planted red onion in Mindoro

Occidental applied the liquid form of herbicide/weedicides. There were
94.37 percent in Nueva Ecija and 91.89 percent in Pangasinan who used the
liquid form of herbicides. Of those who planted multiplier onion, 89.19
percent in Ilocos Norte and 97.18 percent in Ilocos Sur applied the liquid
herbicide/weedicides to control weeds.
• Likewise, the liquid form of insecticides was widely used than solid form.
This was noted among 86 to 97 percent of farmers in Pangasinan, Mindoro
Occidental and Nueva Ecija who cultivated the red onion variety. Users of
liquid insecticides for multiplier onion were observed mostly in Ilocos Sur
with 87.32 percent reporting.
• The solid form of fungicides was more preferred than the liquid form. Major
users of solid fungicides were observed in Mindoro Occidental at 82.67
percent of farmers who planted red onion. The smallest proportion was
noted in Pangasinan at 41.89 percent. For multiplier onion, about 39.44
percent in Ilocos Sur and 25.68 percent in Ilocos Norte applied the solid type
of fungicides.
• A few farmers used rodenticides and organic pesticides. These were reported
only by those who planted red onion in Pangasinan and Nueva Ecija.
11
D. Input Usage
(Tables 20–28)
Planting Materials
• In the production of onion, the planting materials used were bulb for
multiplier onion and seeds for red onion. Across the provinces surveyed, the
average quantity of seeds of red onion used was 5.04 kilograms per hectare.
Seeding rates per hectare averaged 3.51 kilograms in Mindoro Occidental,
5.32 kilograms in Nueva Ecija and 6.87 kilograms in Pangasinan.
• For multiplier onion, an average of 642.27 kilograms of bulb per hectare was
used as planting materials. This ranged from 618.30 kilograms in Ilocos
Norte to 656.81 kilograms in Ilocos Sur.
• As to the source of planting materials, bigger quantities of the red onion

seeds were reportedly purchased while bulbs of multiplier onion were
mostly own produced by the farmers.
Fertilizers
• The application of solid organic fertilizer averaged 248.47 kilograms per

hectare for red onion and 83.45 kilograms for multiplier onion. Nueva Ecija
reported the biggest usage of organic fertilizer for red onion at 615.31
kilograms per hectare. Meanwhile, organic fertilizer was highly applied in
multiplier onion by the farmers in Ilocos Sur at 108.35 kilograms per hectare.
• For the solid form of inorganic fertilizer, the most common grades applied in
both onion varieties were complete (14-14-14), urea (46-0-0), ammonium
sulfate (21-0-0) and ammonium phosphate (16-0-0). The usage of fertilizer
in a one hectare farm of red onion averaged from 96.16 kilograms for
ammonium sulfate to 279.08 kilograms for complete fertilizer (14-14-14).
Nueva Ecija recorded the biggest quantities applied per hectare at 368.65
kilograms of complete fertilizer (14-14-14), 221.11 kilograms of urea (46-0-
0) and 173.58 kilograms of ammonium phosphate (16-20-0). Ammonium
sulfate was highly utilized in Pangasinan and Mindoro Occidental at around
100 kilograms per hectare each. For onion multiplier, it was urea (46-0-0)
which had the biggest usage averaged at 245.85 kilograms per hectare.
Application rates per hectare were high in Ilocos Sur at 269.03 kilograms of
urea (46-0-0) and 183.85 kilograms of complete fertilizer (14-1414). In
Ilocos Norte, bigger volume of ammonium sulfate at 227.15 kilograms was
utilized in a one hectare of multiplier onion. On the other hand, crop giant
posted the least application rates for both onion varieties.
• In the case of liquid form of fertilizers, minimal quantity at less than 1 liter
per hectare per type was applied across the provinces surveyed.
12
• By province, farmers in Mindoro Occidental used the biggest quantity of
organic fertilizer at 0.76 liter per hectare of red onion.
• For onion multiplier, greenbee was the commonly used liquid fertilizer at
0.44 liter per hectare. By province, usage of greenbee in Ilocos Norte and
Ilocos Sur averaged 0.57 liter and 0.36 liter per hectare, respectively.
• In terms of the nutrient content of fertilizers, the solid form of fertilizers

applied in red onion comprised of 198.98 kilograms of nitrogen, 67.97
kilograms of phosphorus and 53.15 kilograms of potassium per hectare. For
onion multiplier, the solid fertilizers used contained 178.50 kilograms of
nitrogen, 35.33 kilograms of phosphorus and 24.18 kilograms of potassium
per hectare.
• By province, Pangasinan and Nueva Ecija were heavy users of nitrogen

amounting to 207.67 kilograms and 200.05 kilograms per hectare,
respectively, for red onion variety. The nitrogen contents of solid fertilizer
applied for one hectare of multiplier onion were estimated at 166.20
kilograms in Ilocos Norte and 185.96 kilograms in Ilocos Sur.
Mulching Materials
• Rice stalk was the major mulching material used in the provinces surveyed.
An average of 288.56 kilograms of rice stalk was utilized per hectare of red
onion. Nueva Ecija indicated the biggest usage at 608.15 kilograms per
hectare. On the other hand, farmers who planted multiplier onion used an
average of 2,644.80 kilograms of rice stalk per hectare. Heavy users were
farmers in Ilocos Norte at 4,552. kilograms per hectare of multiplier onion.
• Other mulching materials used for red onion production were rice hull, cogon
and banana stalk.
Pesticides
• On the average, the quantities of liquid herbicides/weedicides used were 6.83

liters per hectare for red onion and 3.28 liters per hectare for multiplier
onion. Higher application rates were noted in Pangasinan at 9.48 liters per
hectare for red onion and in Ilocos Norte at 3.83 liters per hectare for
multiplier onion.
• The use of liquid insecticides averaged 3.66 liters per hectare for red onion
and 1.73 liters per hectare for multiplier onion. Bigger usage of liquid
insecticides was reported by the red onion farmers in Pangasinan at 4.08
liters per hectare. For the solid type of insecticides, the average application
rates per hectare were 0.77 kilogram for red onion and 0.45 kilogram for
13
multiplier onion. Nueva Ecija farmers used larger amount of solid
insecticides at 1.66 kilograms per hectare for red onion. Ilocos Sur farmers
applied more of this type at 0.53 kilogram in a one hectare farm planted to
multiplier onion.
• The solid form of fungicide was more preferred than the liquid form. Solid
fungicides application averaged 2.31 kilograms per hectare of red onion and
1.64 kilograms per hectare of multiplier onion. Farmers in Mindoro
Occidental who planted red onion reported higher usage of solid fungicides
at 3.26 kilograms per hectare. Liquid fungicides were applied at an average
of only 0.28 liter per hectare and 0.08 liter per hectare of farm cultivated to
red onion and multiplier onion, respectively. In Pangasinan, farmers used
0.57 liter of liquid fungicides in a one hectare farm of red onion.
• Rodenticides in solid type were applied only in Pangasinan and Nueva Ecija at
average rates of 1.12 kilograms and 0.02 kilogram per hectare, respectively.
Only Nueva Ecija reported the use of organic pesticides for red onion farm.
Labor Utilization
• The average labor utilization in the production of red onion was 231.93
mandays per hectare. It ranged from 185.53 mandays in Pangasinan to
249.53 mandays in Nueva Ecija. For multiplier onion, the labor requirement
averaged 166.71 mandays per hectare. This was 183.60 mandays in Ilocos
Norte and 156.47 mandays in Ilocos Sur.
• Hired workers provided the bulk of labor input at 178.32 mandays per
hectare of red onion and 92.97 mandays per hectare of onion multiplier.
Exchange labor provided the least labor inputs at 1.63 and 2.10 mandays per
hectare of red onion and onion multiplier, respectively.
• Among the farm activities in red onion production, transplanting, manual

weeding and harvesting utilized the biggest labor inputs averaged at 43.76
mandays, 38.00 mandays and 42.91 mandays, respectively. In the production
of multiplier onion, the major activities were cleaning/sorting, harvesting,
direct seeding, and irrigating that recorded higher labor requirements
averaged at 36.72 mandays, 26.72 mandays, 26.42 mandays, and 23.54
mandays, respectively.
14
E. Average Production Costs and Returns of Onion by Variety
All Provinces
Red Onion
(Tables 29-30)
• Production of red onion entailed an average cost of P130,886 per hectare.

On a per kilogram basis, the cost of production was computed at 10.98.
• Cash expenses which comprised 78.93 percent of the total production cost
amounted to P103,303 per hectare. The biggest cash cost item was hired
labor valued at P32,429 per hectare.
• Non-cash costs at P8,382 per hectare shared 6.40 percent. Harvesters’ share
was the main expense item contributing P5,838 per hectare.
• About 14.67 percent or P19,201 per hectare were imputed costs of which
operator’s labor accounted for the biggest cost item at P6,404 per hectare.
• Production of red onion averaged 11,924.23 kilograms per hectare worth

P234,843. Returns above cash costs were estimated at P131,540 per hectare.
Returns above cash and non-cash costs stood at P123,158. Considering all
production costs, farmers netted P103,957 per hectare.
• A gain of about P0.79 was realized for every peso of investment in red onion
production.
• On the average, variable cost of production amounted to P116,358 per

hectare and this corresponded to 88.90 percent of all costs. Fixed costs
averaged P14,527 and shared 11.10 percent.
Multiplier Onion
(Tables 31–32)
• On the average, the cost of producing multiplier onion was P112,212 per
hectare. This was equivalent to P13.31 per kilogram.
• Cash expenses amounted to P58,597 per hectare or 52.22 percent of the total
costs. Hired labor and inorganic fertilizers were the major cash outlays
valued at P18,493 and P12,997 per hectare, respectively.
• Non-cash costs at P33,008 per hectare shared 29.42 percent while imputed
costs at P20,607 per hectare contributed 18.36 percent. Planting materials
(bulb) were the biggest among the non-cash cost items worth P19,701. Both
operator and family labor comprised the bulk of imputed costs at P8,535 and
P4,564 per hectare, respectively.
15
• Farmers produced an average of 8,432.30 kilograms of multiplier onion
during the reference period. With farmgate price of P21.33 per kilogram,
farmers grossed P179,899 per hectare. Returns above cash costs averaged
P121,303 per hectare. After subtracting non-cash costs, returns settled at
P88,295 per hectare. Accounting for all costs, farmers netted P67,687 per
hectare. For every peso invested in producing multiplier onion, farmers
gained P0.60.
• Average variable cost of production was computed at P103,933 per hectare

or 92.62 percent of total production costs. On the other hand, fixed costs at
7.38 percent averaged P8,279 per hectare.
Pangasinan
Red Onion
(Tables 33–34)
• In Pangasinan, the average cost of red onion production amounted to

P132,625 per hectare or P12.75 per kilogram.
• Cash outlays at P112,802 per hectare contributed 85.05 percent in total

production cost. Hired labor at P29,712 per hectare and planting materials
at P20,908 per hectare accounted for the bulk of cash expenses.
• Non-cash costs were estimated at P 1,039 per hectare. Landowner’s share

comprised the main non-cash expense item at P633 per hectare.
• The imputed costs which constituted 14.16 percent of all cost amounted to
P18,784 per hectare. Of this amount, P6,161 per hectare were spent for the
cost of operator labor.
• Onion farmers in Pangasinan grossed P241,345 per hectare from an average

production of 10,404.97 kilograms of red onion. Farm receipts over cash
costs were estimated at P128,543 per hectare. Above cash costs and non-
cash costs, farmers earned P127,504 per hectare. After deducting all costs,
net returns amounted to P108,720 per hectare.
• For every peso of investment in red onion production, farmers gained P0.82.
• Of the total production cost, variable costs contributed 89.99 percent and
this amounted to P119,352 per hectare. Fixed costs were valued at P13,273
per hectare.
16
Nueva Ecija
Red Onion
(Tables 35-36)
• The average cost of producing red onion in Nueva Ecija was P141,587 per
hectare. On a per kilogram basis, production cost averaged P11.19.
• About 74.58 percent of the production cost or P105,595 per hectare went to
cash expenses. Hired labor and inorganic fertilizer were the leading cost
items amounting P37,898 and P19,107 per hectare, respectively.
• Imputed costs at P19,380 per hectare contributed 13.69 percent while non-
cash costs at P16,612 per hectare shared 11.73 percent. The bulk of the
costs came from operator labor at P7,165 per hectare and harvester’s share
at P15,050 per hectare.
• Red onion production in Nueva Ecija averaged 12,648.36 kilograms per

hectare. Farm price averaged P20.48 per kilogram. This corresponded to
gross returns of P259,064 per hectare.
• Returns above cash costs averaged P153,470 per hectare. Returns above
cash and non-cash costs amounted to P136,857 per hectare. Net returns
stood at P117,477 per hectare. For every peso invested in red onion
production, farmers gained P0.83.
• Average variable cost of production was computed at P127,247 per hectare

or 89.87 percent of all costs. Fixed costs shared 10.13 percent or P14,340
per hectare.
Mindoro Occidental
Red Onion
(Tables 37-38)
• Farmers planting red onion in Mindoro Occidental incurred an average cost

of P118,334 per hectare. The cost per kilogram was computed at P9.71.
• Cash costs constituted about 79.80 percent of the total costs or P94,435 per
hectare. The leading expenditure item was hired labor at P28,456 per
hectare.
• Non-cash costs amounted to P4,606 per hectare of which rental for land was
the biggest item valued at P3,245.
• About 16.30 percent or P19,292 per hectare were imputed costs. Of this
amount, P5,760 and P4,603 per hectare were the costs of operator labor and
family labor, respectively.
17
• Production of red onion in Mindoro Occidental averaged 12,183.29
kilograms per hectare. Gross earnings reached P204,696 per hectare at a
farm price of P16.80 per kilogram. Returns above cash costs were
P110,261 per hectare while returns above cash and non-cash costs
amounted to P105,654 per hectare. Net earnings stood at P86,362 per
hectare. A P0.73 was earned for every peso invested in red onion
production.
• Variable costs of production at 86.84 percent of the production costs were

estimated at P102,759 per hectare. Fixed costs amounted to P15,575 per
hectare.
Ilocos Norte
Multiplier Onion
(Tables 39–40)
• On a per hectare basis, the cost of production of multiplier onion in Ilocos

Norte averaged P106,861. It was estimated at P14.36 per kilogram.
• Cash costs amounted to P59,178 or shared 55.38 percent in total costs. Main
contributor was hired labor amounting to P19,519 per hectare. This was
followed by inorganic fertilizers at P11,805 and fuel costs at P7,251.
• Non-cash outlays comprised 23.60 percent and equivalent to P25,215 per

hectare. Of this amount, landowner’s share was valued at P10,203 per
hectare. Bulbs used as planting materials amounted toP8,440 per hectare.
• Imputed costs computed at P22,468 represented 21.03 percent of the total

cost. Operator labor accounted for the biggest cost at P11,275 per hectare.
• Farmers in Ilocos Norte produced an average of 7,441.31 kilograms per

hectare of multiplier onion and grossed P181,237. The average farm price
was P24.36 per kilogram.
• After deducting cash costs, returns were computed at P122,059 per hectare.
Returns after cash and non-cash costs averaged P96,844. Onion farmers
netted P74,376 per hectare. For every peso invested to produce multiplier
onion, farmers gained P0.70.
• On the average, variable costs of production were estimated at P101,204

per hectare. This corresponded to 94.71 percent of all costs. The remaining
were fixed costs valued at P5,657 per hectare.
18
Ilocos Sur
Multiplier Onion
(Tables 41-42)
• In Ilocos Sur, the average production cost per hectare of multiplier onion
was P115,459. This was equivalent to P12.78 per kilogram.
• About 50.45 percent of the production cost or P58,244 per hectare were
cash costs. Of this amount, P17,871 and P 13,720 were spent for hired labor
and inorganic fertilizers, respectively.
• Non-cash costs at 32.68 percent corresponded to P37,736 per hectare. Bulb

as planting material was the main expense item valued at P26,532 per
hectare.
• The remaining 16.87 percent comprised the imputed costs which amounted
to P19,479 per hectare. The biggest imputed costs were the payment for
operator labor at P6,872, rental value of owned land at P4,817 and family
labor at P4,358.
• Gross earnings of farmers who planted multiplier onion were estimated at

P179,088 per hectare from an average production of 9,033.54 kilograms.
Farm price was placed at an average of P19.82 per kilogram.
• Returns over cash costs were P120,844 per hectare. After cash and non-cash
costs were subtracted, farmers netted P 83,108 per hectare. A net profit of
P63,629 per hectare was realized after all costs were deducted. There was a
net gain of P0.55 for every peso of investment in the production of
multiplier onion.
• Average variable costs valued at P105,589 per hectare corresponded to

91.45 percent of the production costs. The rest were fixed costs at P9,870
per hectare.
Inter-Provincial Comparison
(Table 43a-43b)
• The average cost of producing a hectare of red onion ranged from P118,334
in Mindoro Occidental to P141,587 in Nueva Ecija.
• Cash costs comprised the bulk of the total production costs. The biggest
cash costs were noted in Pangasinan at P112,802 and the least in Mindoro
Occidental at P94,435. Non-cash costs contributed the smallest portion of
the total costs of producing red onion in Pangasinan, Mindoro Occidental
and Nueva Ecija at P1,039, P4,606 and P16,612, respectively. Imputed costs
were lower in Pangasinan at P18,784 per hectare.
19
• Returns above cash costs ranged from P110,261 in Mindoro Occidental to
P153,470 in Nueva Ecija. Receipts over cash and non-cash outlays were
highest in Nueva Ecija at P136,857. The smallest was recorded in Mindoro
Occidental at P105,654.
• Farmers in Nueva Ecija had the biggest net returns amounting to P117,477
per hectare. Least earners were recorded in Mindoro Occidental with
P86,362 per hectare. For every peso of investment in red onion production,
farmers in Nueva Ecija gained the biggest at P0.83 while farmers in Mindoro
Occidental earned the least at P 0.73.
• Cost of producing multiplier onion was higher in Ilocos Sur at P115,459 per
hectare than in Ilocos Norte with P106,861 per hectare. Cash outlays in
Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur were estimated at P59,178 per hectare and
P58,244 per hectare, respectively. Imputed costs were higher in Ilocos Norte
at P22,468. On the other hand, Ilocos Sur reported bigger non-cash costs at
P37,736 per hectare.
• Returns above cash costs in Ilocos Norte were P122,059 per hectare while
P120,844 in Ilocos Sur. Net receipts after subtracting cash and non-cash costs
were higher in Ilocos Norte at P96,844 per hectare compared to Ilocos Sur at
P83,108 per hectare. Net earnings were P74,376 in Ilocos Norte and P63,629
in Ilocos Sur. Net profit-cost ratios were 0.70 and 0.55 in Ilocos Norte and
Ilocos Sur, respectively.
F. Other Information
(Tables 44–59)
Disposition of Produce
• On the average, the bulk of the total volume of onion produced at 90.20
percent were sold. The proportion of volume sold was highest in Nueva
Ecija at 96.09 percent. The lowest was noted in Ilocos Norte at 81.69
percent.
• About 4.17 percent of the total volume of onion production were allotted for
seed purposes while 3.11 percent were landowner’s share. Given away
accounted for 1.26 percent and those wasted was 1.18 percent. Among the
provinces surveyed, Ilocos Norte indicated the biggest percentage of onion
production that was used for planting materials (bulb) at 10.11 percent
followed by Ilocos Sur at 6.04 percent. Landowner’s shares were higher in
Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur at more than 5 percent each.
20
Production Compared with Last Year
• When compared with the production last year, there were 46.03 percent of
onion farmers reported that their productions were lower this year. About
32.05 percent had production higher this year. Some 16.99 percent cited
that their productions were about the same.
• Mindoro Occidental had the biggest proportion of onion farmers at 54.67

percent who had lower production this year. This was likewise cited by
53.52 percent in Ilocos Sur. The smallest proportion was noted in Nueva
Ecija at 32.39 percent. However, Nueva Ecija indicated the biggest
percentage at 54.93 percent whose volume of production was higher this
year compared to last year. In Pangasinan, there were 36.49 percent who
stated that their production levels were the same.
• Among those farmers who had production higher this year, the effect of
favorable weather was the main reason for the change in production. This
was reported by 40.17 percent of onion farmers. The use of good quality
seeds was reported by 25.64 percent. Some 17.95 percent cited the usage of
fertilizer and 15.38 percent stated increase in area as the reasons for higher
production.
• Across the provinces surveyed, good weather condition was mentioned by

77.78 percent of the onion farmers in Pangasinan. In Ilocos Sur, half of the
onion farmers who had higher production this year mentioned the use of
good quality seeds. Fertilizer usage was the reason given by 26.09 percent
in Ilocos Norte. There were 36 percent in Mindoro Occidental and 33.33
percent in Ilocos Sur who cited increase in area that caused higher
production this year relative to last year.
• Of those who had lower production this year, the common reasons were
unfavorable weather condition and occurrence of pest and diseases as
reported by 55.95 percent, and by 45.83 percent, respectively. The usage of
low quality seeds was reasoned out by 15.48 percent while 12.50 percent
stated the decrease in area.
• Pangasinan had the biggest proportion of onion farmers at 75.86 percent

who said bad weather as the main reason for the lower production. There
were 65.79 percent in Ilocos Sur and 63.41 percent in Mindoro Occidental
who cited the occurrence of pests and diseases. Low quality seeds caused
lower production to around 26 percent each in Nueva Ecija and Mindoro
Occidental.
21
Problems Related to Production
• The incidence of pests and diseases was the primary production problem
encountered by 50.96 percent of the onion farmers. Bad weather/calamities
and high costs of inputs were reported by 41.64 percent and 38.36 percent
of onion farmers, respectively. There were 27.95 percent who were
constrained by the lack of capital. A few cited problems on rough
road/inadequate transport facilities, irrigation, poor soil condition and poor
quality of seeds.
• Those who reported problem on pests and diseases were biggest in Mindoro
Occidental at 64 percent and in Ilocos Sur at 60.56 percent. Likewise, in
Mindoro Occidental, there were 69.33 percent of onion farmers who cited
problem on high cost of inputs. Bad weather condition was a major
production problem among 63.51 percent of the onion farmers in
Pangasinan. Lack of capital was mentioned by 38 to 45 percent of the onion
farmers in Ilocos Sur, Pangasinan and Mindoro Occidental.
Major Buyers of Produce
• Across the provinces surveyed, wholesalers and agents were the major
buyers of 36.26 percent and 31.04 percent of the onion farmers,
respectively. Wholesaler-retailer was cited by 17.58 percent and assembler
by 12.91 percent. A few at 2.47 percent of the onion farmers mentioned
exporter as their major buyer of produce.
• About half of the onion farmers interviewed in Pangasinan and Ilocos Sur
transacted with wholesalers and agents, respectively. Those who sold their
produce to wholesaler-retailer were biggest in Mindoro Occidental at 34.67
percent. Transaction of onion farmers with assembler was mentioned by
42.47 percent in Ilocos Norte. There were 9.86 percent in Ilocos Sur and
2.67 percent in Mindoro Occidental whose primary buyers were the
exporters.
Problems Related to Marketing
• Unstable price condition was the dominant marketing problem among

85.21 percent of the onion farmers. Low price of produce followed with
49.04 percent reporting. No market outlet was the concern of some 11.78
percent. Minor problems mentioned were rough roads/high transport costs,
lack of marketing information and poor quality of produce.
• The biggest proportions of onion farmers who reported problem on

unstable prices were noted in Ilocos Sur, Pangasinan and Nueva Ecija
ranging from 89 to 94 percent. There were 62 to 67 percent in Ilocos Norte
22
and Mindoro Occidental who had problem on low price of produce. Ilocos
Sur recorded the biggest percentage of onion farmers at 32.39 percent
reporting no market outlet as their problem.
Access to Credit
• During the reference period, about 37.53 percent of the onion farmers
availed of loans for onion production. It ranged from 12.16 percent in Ilocos
Norte to 53.52 percent in Ilocos Sur.
• The major sources of loans were the private individuals as reported by

72.06 percent of the farmer-borrowers in the provinces surveyed.
Borrowings from cooperatives were identified by 13.97 percent and from
banks by 8.82 percent. There were 5.15 percent who sourced loans from
microfinance institutions.
• The biggest proportions of those who borrowed from private individuals

were noted in Pangasinan at 86.11 percent, Nueva Ecija at 73.91 percent
and Mindoro Occidental at 73.33 percent. In Ilocos Sur, 28.95 percent
obtained loans from cooperatives. Microfinance institutions were the major
source of loans among 44.44 percent in Ilocos Norte.
Access to Extension Services
• Across the five (5) provinces, awareness of government

programs/interventions related to onion production was cited by 48.77
percent of the onion farmers. The proportions of this group of farmers
ranged from 22.97 percent in Pangasinan to 81.69 percent in Nueva Ecija.
• Of those onion farmers who were aware of government programs and

interventions, only 14.61 percent of them availed of benefits. Ilocos Sur
posted the biggest proportion of this group of onion farmers who availed of
benefits at 36.11 percent. This was followed by Nueva Ecija at 17.24 percent.
Less than 5 percent were recorded in Ilocos Norte and Mindoro Occidental.
Onion farmers in Pangasinan did not report any availment of benefits from
the government programs and interventions.
• Training on farming technology was the most availed type of benefit from
the government programs and interventions as reported by 53.85 percent.
Availment of seeds was mentioned by 30.77 percent and of fertilizer and
other inputs by 15.38 percent. The least availed benefits were the provision
of irrigation facilities, post-harvest facilities and tools.
• Across the representative provinces, all onion farmers in Mindoro

Occidental who availed of benefits were recipients of training on farming
23
technology. This type of benefit was also received by 76.92 percent in Ilocos
Sur. Support in terms of fertilizers and other inputs was provided to all the
farmer-recipients in Ilocos Norte. There were 70 percent in Nueva Ecija
who benefited from seed distribution.
• According to 73.08 percent of the onion farmers who benefitted from the
government programs and interventions, 61.54 percent reported that these
benefits helped increase their farm income.
• By province, all onion farmers in Mindoro Occidental who used the benefits
received from the government programs and interventions said that these
helped increase their income. In Nueva Ecija, only 40 percent used the
benefits. Of this group, 40 percent reported an increase in income.
Farm Practices Affected by Climate Change
• About 63.84 percent of the onion farmers in the five (5) provinces cited that
climate change affected their farming practices. Specifically, this was stated
by 50.70 percent in Ilocos Sur to 78.67 percent in Mindoro Occidental.
• As to the effect of climate change, decrease in yield was reported by 68.24

percent followed by change in cropping pattern by 26.61 percent. The
decrease in yield was cited by 90.38 percent in Ilocos Norte. The change in
cropping pattern was identified by 60.98 percent in Pangasinan.
Farm Practices in Organic Farming
• Across the five (5) provinces covered, 9.59 percent of the onion farmers
practiced organic/natural farming using solely organic fertilizers in their
farms. This practice was more adopted in Nueva Ecija as reported by 33.80
percent of farmers. There were 5 to 8 percent in Mindoro Occidental and
Ilocos Sur adopted the same practice. There was no reported practice in
Pangasinan.
Membership in Organization and Type of Benefit Received
• Only 33.42 percent of onion farmers in the five (5) provinces were members
of farmers’ organizations. The proportion was highest in Ilocos Sur at 85.92
percent and least in Nueva Ecija at 2.82 percent.
• Training/seminars were the common benefits received by the onion farmer-

member with 24.59 percent reporting. Some 9.84 percent received
financial/credit support from the organization. Availment of irrigation
24
services and farm equipment was cited by 12.30 percent of the farmer-
members.
• All farmer-members of the organization in Nueva Ecija were beneficiaries of

training/seminars. These benefits were also provided to 66.67 percent in
Pangasinan. In Mindoro Occidental, 50 percent and 58.33 percent of the
farmer-members were recipients of training/seminars and input support,
respectively. Ilocos Norte reported that 38.46 percent of the farmer-
members received irrigation services and farm equipment.
Plans of Onion Farmers
• About 60.55 percent of onion farmers in the five (5) provinces covered had
plans to maintain their current operation and 33.42 percent wanted to
expand their operation. The rest planned to stop their operation, decrease
their farm area and shift to other crops.
• By province, onion farmers who would maintain their current operation

ranged from 46.67 percent in Mindoro Occidental to 74.32 percent in Ilocos
Norte. Those who planned to expand operation were higher in Mindoro
Occidental at 53.33 percent and Nueva Ecija at 42.25 percent.
Recommendations to Further Improve Onion Production
• Across the representative provinces, there were 86.58 percent of the onion
farmers who recommended price support to encourage the production of
onion. Financial support was cited by 49.59 percent while regulation on the
price of farm inputs was mentioned by 47.40 percent. Some 28.49 percent
suggested provision of new/modern farming technologies. About 0.55 to
8.49 percent reported addressing environmental concerns, implementing
land reform program, provision of infrastructure facilities, soil testing
analysis and improvement of irrigation services.
• The proportion of onion farmers who sought for price support ranged from
78.38 percent in Pangasinan to 95.77 percent in Ilocos Sur. Mindoro
Occidental accounted for the biggest percentage of onion farmers at 84
percent and 72 percent who recommended regulation of prices of farm
inputs and provision of new/modern farming technologies, respectively.
There were 78.38 percent in Pangasinan proposing financial support to
improve onion production.
25
STATISTICAL TABLES
Table 1. Percentage distribution of onion farmers by sex,
selected provinces, July 2012 - June 2013
Province Male Female
All Provinces 95.07 4.93
Ilocos Norte 100.00

Ilocos Sur 94.37 5.63
Pangasinan 95.95 4.05
Nueva Ecija 94.37 5.63
Mindoro Occidental 90.67 9.33
Table 2. Average age of onion farmers and percentage distribution by age group,
Average Age Age Group (years)

Province
(years) < 31 31 - 40 41 - 50 51 - 60 61 - 70 > 70
All Provinces 49 5.21 18.36 29.59 29.59 13.97 3.29
Ilocos Norte 50 4.05 17.57 29.73 25.68 20.27 2.70

Ilocos Sur 50 7.04 16.90 25.35 29.58 16.90 4.23
Pangasinan 50 4.05 20.27 27.03 31.08 12.16 5.41
Nueva Ecija 51 2.82 11.27 32.39 36.62 15.49 1.41
Mindoro Occidental 46 8.00 25.33 33.33 25.33 5.33 2.67
27
Table 3. Percentage distribution of onion farmers by educational attainment, selected provinces,
July 2012 - June 2013
Elementary Elementary High School High School College College

Province Vocational
Level Graduate Level Graduate Level Graduate
All Provinces 7.67 24.11 13.70 31.78 9.59 9.32 3.84
Ilocos Norte 5.41 25.68 9.46 33.78 9.46 6.76 9.46

Ilocos Sur 9.86 15.49 14.08 28.17 12.68 16.90 2.82
Pangasinan 4.05 25.68 6.76 51.35 4.05 5.41 2.70
Nueva Ecija 11.27 29.58 11.27 23.94 11.27 9.86 2.82
Mindoro Occidental 8.00 24.00 26.67 21.33 10.67 8.00 1.33
Table 4. Average farming experience of onion farmers and percentage distribution by number
of years engaged in onion production, selected provinces, July 2012 - June 2013
Average Farming Years

Province Experience
(years) < 11 11 - 20 21 - 30 > 30
All Provinces 16 44.38 28.22 16.71 10.68
Ilocos Norte 17 39.19 31.08 20.27 9.46

Ilocos Sur 14 53.52 28.17 9.86 8.45
Pangasinan 17 41.89 28.38 17.57 12.16
Nueva Ecija 22 22.54 25.35 30.99 21.13
Mindoro Occidental 11 64.00 28.00 5.33 2.67
28
Table 5. Percentage distribution of onion farmers by main occupation, selected provinces,
July 2012 - June 2013
Officials of the Government Farmers,

Service Plant and
and Special Interest Forestry Craft and
Workers and Machine
Organizations, Corporate Workers and Related
Province Shop and Operators
Executives, Managers Fishermen: Trades
Market Sales and
Managing Proprietors and Field Crop Workers
Workers Assemblers
Supervisors Farmers
All Provinces 3.84 0.55 93.15 0.82 1.64
Ilocos Norte 8.11 85.14 2.70 4.05

Pangasinan 1.35 97.30 1.35
Nueva Ecija 2.82 1.41 95.77
Mindoro Occidental 5.33 1.33 89.33 4.00
Table 6. Average farm size, area planted and harvested of onion focus farm parcels,
(in hectare)
Province Farm Size Area Planted Area Harvested
All Provinces 0.7078 0.4865 0.4865
Ilocos Norte 0.2591 0.1672 0.1672

Ilocos Sur 0.3230 0.2873 0.2873
Pangasinan 0.4836 0.4836 0.4836
Nueva Ecija 0.9810 0.7911 0.7911
Mindoro Occidental 1.4773 0.7047 0.7047
29
Table 7. Average area planted and harvested by variety, selected provinces,
July 2012 - June 2013
(in hectare)
Red Onion Multiplier Onion
Province Area Area
Area Planted Area Planted
Harvested Harvested
All Provinces 0.6582 0.6582 0.2260 0.2260
Ilocos Norte 0.1672 0.1672

Ilocos Sur 0.2873 0.2873
Table 8. Percentage distribution of onion farm parcels by tenurial status, selected provinces,
July 2012 - June 2013
Fully Leased/ Rent Owner-like Held Under

Province Tenanted Amortized Mortgaged
Owned Rented Free Possession CLT/CLOA
All Provinces 30.96 11.51 36.99 0.55 2.47 11.23 1.10 5.21
Ilocos Norte 17.57 62.16 1.35 12.16 6.76

Ilocos Sur 21.13 5.63 64.79 1.41 4.23 2.82
Pangasinan 39.19 8.11 37.84 5.41 8.11 1.35
Nueva Ecija 53.52 15.49 12.68 1.41 2.82 4.23 2.82 7.04
Mindoro Occidental 24.00 28.00 8.00 1.33 1.33 26.67 1.33 9.33
30
Table 9. Percentage of onion farmers by type of farm investment, selected provinces, July 2012 - June 2013
All Mindoro
Farm Investment Ilocos Norte Ilocos Sur Pangasinan Nueva Ecija
Provinces Occidental
Work Animal
Carabao 21.64 6.76 1.41 10.81 47.89 41.33
Cattle 3.56 2.70 5.63 8.11 1.41
Farm Buildings and Other Structures

Farm House 19.18 5.41 7.04 17.57 40.85 25.33
Warehouse/Storage 4.11 2.70 7.04 1.35 9.86
Farm Machinery
Two-Wheel Tractor 15.89 2.70 4.23 13.51 33.80 25.33
Four-Wheel Tractor 2.19 4.05 4.23 2.67
Irrigation Pump 69.86 79.73 85.92 74.32 45.07 64.00
Others a/ 9.86 12.16 2.82 1.35 19.72 13.33
Farm Tools and Implements

Plow 33.97 5.41 16.90 35.14 54.93 57.33
Harrow 30.96 1.35 16.90 28.38 53.52 54.67
Sprayer 80.00 78.38 81.69 75.68 88.73 76.00
Weeder 0.55 2.82
Spade 63.29 27.03 29.58 85.14 90.14 84.00
Bolo 56.71 47.30 39.44 85.14 90.14 22.67
Hoe 28.22 1.35 16.90 63.51 50.70 9.33
Sled 10.96 8.11 9.86 14.86 12.68 9.33
Spading fork 9.04 2.70 13.51 26.76 2.67
Post Hole Digger 4.38 1.41 13.51 7.04
Rake 29.32 4.05 44.59 56.34 41.33
Weighing Scale 18.08 13.51 23.94 16.22 23.94 13.33
Sprinkler 30.41 18.92 1.41 45.95 12.68 70.67
a/ Others include engine, generator, air plotter, power sprayer and transmission
31
Table 10. Percentage distribution of onion farmers by number of cropping per year,
One Two
Province
Cropping Croppings

Pangasinan 100.00
Nueva Ecija 100.00
Mindoro Occidental 100.00
Table 11. Percentage distribution of onion farmers by variety planted,

Province Red Onion Multiplier Onion
Ilocos Norte 100.00

Ilocos Sur 100.00
Pangasinan 100.00
Nueva Ecija 100.00
32
Table 12. Percentage of onion farmers by source of seeds, selected provinces,
July 2012 - June 2013
Seed Own Input

Province Trader Cooperative Co-Farmer
Grower Produced Dealer
All Provinces 53.97 1.64 0.82 4.93 29.86 9.04
Ilocos Norte 20.27 1.35 14.86 64.86

Ilocos Sur 1.41 4.23 1.41 7.04 85.92
Pangasinan 95.95 1.35 1.35 1.35
Nueva Ecija 66.20 1.41 1.41 1.41 29.58
Table 13. Percentage of onion farmers planting other crops, selected provinces, July 2012 - June 2013
Legumes
Province Palay Corn Vegetables Condiments Non-food Crops a/ Fruits b/
and Nuts
All Provinces 84.11 19.73 8.22 1.64 1.92 0.27 0.27
Ilocos Norte 91.89 16.22 12.16 6.76 6.76

Ilocos Sur 100.00 22.54 1.41 1.41
Pangasinan 55.41 37.84 4.05 1.35 1.35
Nueva Ecija 73.24 22.54 23.94 2.82
a/ Tobacco
b/ Watermelon
33
Table 14. Percentage distribution of onion farmers by variety planted and method of planting,

Province
Direct Seeding Transplanting Direct Seeding Transplanting
All Provinces 13.15 47.12 36.99 2.74

Ilocos Sur 100.00
Table 15. Percentage distribution of onion farmers by month of planting and harvesting, selected provinces, July 2012 - June 2013
2012 2013
Province
July August September October November December January February March April May June
Planting
All Provinces 0.82 1.64 26.58 18.90 26.58 21.92 3.01 0.55
Ilocos Norte 40.54 31.08 10.81 6.76 8.11 2.70

Ilocos Sur 4.23 8.45 59.15 21.13 1.41 5.63
Pangasinan 33.78 21.62 40.54 4.05
Nueva Ecija 8.45 56.34 35.21
Harvesting
All Provinces 0.82 1.64 16.16 12.33 11.78 27.12 28.49 1.64
Ilocos Norte 22.97 37.84 18.92 9.46 8.11 2.70

Ilocos Sur 4.23 8.45 59.15 21.13 7.04
Pangasinan 2.70 35.14 58.11 4.05
Nueva Ecija 2.82 42.25 54.93
34
Table 16.a. Percentage of onion farmers by method of land preparation and type of labor used,
Man-Machine
Province Man-Animal
Two-Wheel Tractor Four-Wheel Tractor
All Provinces 10.96 51.23 43.29
Ilocos Norte 6.76 14.86 18.92

Pangasinan 6.76 55.41 52.70
Nueva Ecija 8.45 87.32 70.42
Table 16.b. Percentage of onion farmers by method of weeding,

Province Manual Chemical Spraying

35
Table 17. Percentage of onion farmers by type of solid fertilizers used and variety planted,

Fertilizer All Nueva Mindoro All Ilocos Ilocos
Pangasinan
Provinces Ecija Occidental Provinces Norte Sur
Organic Fertilizer 13.18 1.35 36.62 2.67 7.59 4.05 11.27
Inorganic Fertilizer
Urea (45-0-0) 2.73 2.70 1.41 4.00 6.21 5.41 7.04
Urea (46-0-0) 79.09 78.38 74.65 84.00 68.28 54.05 83.10
Ammonium Sulfate (21-0-0) 36.82 37.84 38.03 34.67 44.14 60.81 26.76
Ammonium Phosphate (16-20-0) 30.91 18.92 42.25 32.00 22.07 17.57 26.76
Complete (12-12-12) 0.45 1.41 1.38 1.35 1.41
Complete (14-14-14) 77.73 82.43 90.14 61.33 56.55 40.54 73.24
Complete (16-16-16) 10.00 2.70 26.67 2.76 5.63
Crop Giant (15-15-15) 19.09 21.62 28.17 8.00 17.93 12.16 23.94
Crop Giant (19-19-19) 10.00 6.76 21.13 2.67 24.83 12.16 38.03
Zinc Sulfate (Zinc 21%) 2.27 7.04
Muriate of Potash (0-0-60) 8.64 9.46 16.00 2.07 2.70 1.41
Foliar Fertilizer 13.18 6.76 8.45 24.00 7.59 6.76 8.45
Atlas Nitro 3.64 1.35 9.86
Others a/ 2.27 6.76
a/ Others include ammonium chloride, potassium and zagro
Table 18. Percentage of onion farmers by type of liquid fertilizers used and variety planted,

Pangasinan
Organic Fertilizer 2.27 4.05 1.41 1.33 2.76 5.63
Crop Giant (15-15-15) 0.69 1.35
Green Bee 11.72 13.51 9.86
Orgamin 1.36 4.00
Foliar Fertilizer 5.91 9.46 5.63 2.67 2.07 4.23
36
Table 19. Percentage of onion farmers by type of pesticides used and variety planted,
Herbicides / Organic
Variety Planted / Insecticides Fungicides Rodenticides
Weedicides Pesticides
Province
Solid Liquid Solid Liquid Solid Liquid Solid Solid Liquid
Red Onion
All Provinces 95.45 20.00 90.45 67.27 16.36 1.36 0.45 1.82
Pangasinan 91.89 16.22 86.49 41.89 24.32 2.70

Nueva Ecija 94.37 32.39 97.18 77.46 14.08 1.41 1.41 5.63
Mindoro Occidental 100.00 12.00 88.00 82.67 10.67
Multiplier Onion
All Provinces 0.69 93.10 22.07 73.10 32.41 3.45
Ilocos Norte 1.35 89.19 22.97 59.46 25.68 2.70

Ilocos Sur 97.18 21.13 87.32 39.44 4.23
Table 20. Average quantity of planting materials used per hectare by mode of acquisition and variety planted,
(in kilogram)
Bulb Seed
Variety Planted /
All Own All
Province Purchased Received Purchased Received
Sources Produced Sources
Red Onion
All Provinces 5.04 4.97 0.08
Pangasinan 6.87 6.84 0.03

Nueva Ecija 5.32 5.15 0.18
Multiplier Onion
All Provinces 642.27 99.17 537.91 5.19 1.50 1.50
Ilocos Norte 618.30 206.46 405.54 6.30 3.98 3.98

Ilocos Sur 656.81 34.07 618.22 4.51
37
Table 21. Average quantity of solid fertilizers applied per hectare by variety planted, selected provinces,
July 2012 - June 2013
(in kilogram)
Pangasinan
Organic Fertilizer 248.47 11.18 615.31 19.24 83.45 42.42 108.35
Urea (45-0-0) 7.32 13.97 0.18 10.41 9.99 10.30 9.81
Urea (46-0-0) 244.57 278.89 221.11 246.26 245.85 207.64 269.03
Ammonium Sulfate (21-0-0) 96.16 100.60 88.57 101.23 133.83 227.15 77.22
Ammonium Phosphate (16-20-0) 126.72 66.37 173.58 117.79 63.09 32.73 81.51
Complete (12-12-12) 0.35 0.89 3.43 1.01 4.90
Complete (14-14-14) 279.08 286.57 368.65 178.81 148.74 90.87 183.85
Complete (16-16-16) 21.06 4.19 54.87 6.87 11.03
Crop Giant (15-15-15) 0.56 0.94 0.51 0.36 0.72 0.44 0.90
Crop Giant (19-19-19) 0.30 0.36 0.46 0.08 1.42 1.10 1.62
Zinc Sulfate (Zinc 21%) 1.33 3.44
Muriate of Potash (0-0-60) 17.54 19.00 35.19 2.44 2.42 2.45
Foliar Fertilizer 1.42 0.19 0.18 3.58 1.82 4.14 0.42
Atlas Nitro 8.98 1.40 22.25
Others a/ 1.13 4.55
a/ Others include ammonium chloride, potassium and zagro
Table 22. Average quantity of liquid fertilizers applied per hectare by variety planted,
(in liter)
Pangasinan
Organic Fertilizer 0.31 0.11 0.02 0.76 0.03 0.05
Crop Giant (15-15-15) 0.03 0.08
Green Bee 0.44 0.57 0.36
Orgamin 0.02 0.04
Foliar Fertilizer 0.29 0.28 0.20 0.39 0.06 0.10
38
Table 23. Average quantity of fertilizer nutrients applied per hectare by variety planted,
Variety Planted / Nitrogen Phosphorous Potassium

Province Solid (kg) Liquid (l) Solid (kg) Liquid (l) Solid (kg) Liquid (l)
Red Onion
All Provinces 198.98 67.97 53.15
Pangasinan 207.67 54.28 52.40

Nueva Ecija 200.05 86.60 51.88
Multiplier Onion
All Provinces 178.50 a/ 35.33 a/ 24.18 a/
Ilocos Norte 166.20 0.01 19.66 0.01 14.57 0.01

Ilocos Sur 185.96 44.84 30.00
a/ Less than 0.01 liter
Table 24. Average quantity of mulching materials used per hectare by variety planted,
(in kilogram)
Variety Planted /
Rice Stalk Rice Hull Cogon Banana Stalk
Province
Red Onion
All Provinces 288.56 25.99 0.39 0.01
Pangasinan 118.76 15.37 0.03

Nueva Ecija 608.15
Multiplier Onion
All Provinces 2,644.80
Ilocos Norte 4,552.00

Ilocos Sur 1,487.70
39
Table 25. Average quantity of pesticides applied per hectare by type and variety, selected provinces, July 2012 - June 2013
Herbicides /
Variety Planted / Insecticides Fungicides Rodenticides Organic Pesticides
Weedicides
Province
Solid (kg) Liquid (l) Solid (kg) Liquid (l) Solid (kg) Liquid (l) Solid (kg) Solid (kg) Liquid (l)
Red Onion
All Provinces 6.83 0.77 3.66 2.31 0.28 0.28 0.01 0.03
Pangasinan 9.48 0.29 4.08 2.24 0.57 1.12

Nueva Ecija 5.79 1.66 3.53 1.47 0.19 0.02 0.02 0.07
Multiplier Onion
All Provinces 0.01 3.28 0.45 1.73 1.64 0.08
Ilocos Norte 0.02 3.83 0.32 1.66 1.65 0.05

Ilocos Sur 2.95 0.53 1.77 1.63 0.10
Table 26. Average labor utilization per hectare of onion production by source of labor and variety planted,
(manday)
Operator Exchange
Variety Planted / Province Family Labor Hired Labor All Sources
Labor Labor
Red Onion
All Provinces 34.96 17.02 1.63 178.32 231.93
Pangasinan 32.36 13.73 0.52 138.93 185.53

Nueva Ecija 37.14 9.25 2.96 200.18 249.53
Multiplier Onion
All Provinces 46.70 24.94 2.10 92.97 166.71
Ilocos Norte 59.12 25.19 3.18 96.11 183.60

Ilocos Sur 39.17 24.79 1.45 91.06 156.47
40
Table 27. Average labor utilization per hectare of red onion production by farm activity,
(manday)
All Mindoro
Farm Activity Pangasinan Nueva Ecija
Provinces Occidental
Seedbed Preparation
Clearing of Fields 2.10 0.75 3.57 1.45
Plowing
Man 0.01 0.02
Man-Animal 0.72 0.09 1.05 0.81
Man-Machine (Two-Wheel) 1.02 0.18 1.25 1.34
Man-Machine (Four-Wheel) 0.07 0.03 0.16 0.01
Fertilizer Application 0.39 0.11 0.42 0.54
Pesticide Application 0.36 0.07 0.45 0.46
Plotting / Levelling 2.37 0.72 1.86 4.03
Mulching 1.03 0.45 0.89 1.58
Irrigating 4.05 4.29 5.44 2.40
Sorting of bulbs 0.11 0.45
Planting of seeds/bulbs 2.38 1.62 1.99 3.30
Manual Weeding 9.88 1.95 14.13 10.72
Chemical Spraying 0.52 0.17 0.52 0.77
Pulling/Separating of seedlings 10.92 5.34 13.37 12.10
Land Preparation
Clearing of Fields 6.34 8.48 8.76 2.30
Plowing
Man 0.09 0.04 0.21
Man-Animal 1.43 0.67 1.89 1.46
Man-Machine (Two-Wheel) 4.12 1.00 4.83 5.47
Man-Machine (Four-Wheel) 0.70 0.57 1.05 0.41
Plotting / Levelling 7.36 10.44 4.75 8.04
Mulching 0.61 0.51 0.77 0.51
Irrigating 3.57 1.70 2.63 5.84
Planting
Direct Seeding 1.47 5.39 0.36
Transplanting 43.76 13.59 48.26 59.41
Care of Crops
Thinning 3.52 11.66 1.65
Manual Weeding 38.00 31.03 46.76 33.41
Irrigating 16.60 26.83 11.76 14.81
Harvesting 42.91 29.62 45.53 49.14
Hauling of Produce
Man 1.86 2.12 2.02 1.52
Man-Animal 1.21 0.03 2.34 0.81
Man-Machine 1.53 1.44 0.75 2.42
Drying 0.01 0.04
Cleaning/Sorting 7.65 11.45 6.40 6.41
Bundling 1.05 3.57 0.34 0.09
Others a/ 0.89 2.30
a/ Others include bagging and furrowing
41
Table 28. Average labor utilization per hectare of multiplier onion production by farm activity,
(manday)
All
Farm Activity Ilocos Norte Ilocos Sur
Provinces
Seedbed Preparation
Clearing of Fields 0.05 0.12
Plowing
Man 0.04 0.10
Man-Animal 0.01 0.03
Man-Machine (Two-Wheel) b/ 0.01
Man-Machine (Four-Wheel) b/ b/
Fertilizer Application 0.01 0.02
Pesticide Application 0.01 0.03
Plotting / Levelling 0.24 0.64
Mulching 0.03 0.08
Irrigating 0.67 1.76
Sorting of bulbs
Planting of seeds/bulbs 0.24 0.64
Manual Weeding 0.04 0.12
Chemical Spraying 0.02 0.05
Pulling/Separating of seedlings 0.44 1.16
Land Preparation
Clearing of Fields 1.75 1.70 1.78
Plowing
Man 0.07 0.02 0.10
Man-Animal 0.30 0.55 0.15
Man-Machine (Two-Wheel) 0.07 0.17
Man-Machine (Four-Wheel) 0.20 0.13 0.24
Fertilizer Application 0.78 0.75 0.80
Pesticide Application 0.66 0.86 0.54
Plotting / Levelling 0.49 0.06 0.74
Mulching 6.23 10.49 3.65
Irrigating 3.63 4.47 3.13
Planting
Direct Seeding 26.42 24.43 27.62
Transplanting 3.22 7.11 0.86
Care of Crops
Pesticide Application 4.04 2.69 4.86
Thinning 0.17 0.25 0.12
Manual Weeding 8.39 7.32 9.04
Fertilizer Application 1.98 1.82 2.08
Irrigating 23.54 18.86 26.38
Harvesting 26.72 30.79 24.24
Hauling of Produce
Man 4.38 6.90 2.85
Man-Animal 0.21 0.17 0.24
Man-Machine 0.79 0.74 0.83
Drying 5.89 9.55 3.67
Cleaning/Sorting 36.72 37.98 35.96
Bundling 6.92 9.49 5.35
Others a/ 1.35 1.53 1.24
a/ Others include bagging and furrowing

b/ Less than 0.01 manday
42
Table 29. Red Onion: Average production costs and returns per hectare, selected provinces, July 2012 - June 2013
Per Hectare Per Farm Per Kilogram

Item
Quantity Unit Value (P) (P) (P)
Production 11,924.23 kg. 234,843 154,574 19.69

Area harvested = 144.805 ha.
Number of farms = 220
CASH COSTS 103,303 67,994 8.66

Planting materials
Seeds 4.96 kg. 14,418 9,490 1.21
Organic fertilizers
Solid 229.67 kg. 467 307 0.04
Liquid 0.03 li. 21 14 c/
Inorganic fertilizers
Solid 805.83 kg. 18,120 11,926 1.52
Liquid 0.16 li. 102 67 0.01
Soil ameliorants
Solid 2.36 kg. 32 21 c/
Liquid 0.01 li. 6 4 c/
Mulching materials 17.61 kg. 9 6 c/
Pesticides
Solid 3.37 kg. 1,670 1,099 0.14
Liquid 10.80 li. 7,930 5,219 0.67
Hired labor 177.97 mandays 32,429 21,345 2.72
Land tax 421 277 0.04
Caretaker/overseer's wages 1,502 988 0.13
Other permanent employee's salary 124 82 0.01
Rentals:
Land 483 318 0.04
Machine 528 348 0.04
Animals 63 42 0.01
Tools and equipment 44 29 c/
Fuel 151.93 li. 6,864 4,518 0.58
Oil 3.58 li. 502 330 0.04
Transport cost of inputs 431 284 0.04
Interest payment on crop loan 3,034 1,997 0.25
Landowner's share 6,656 4,381 0.56
Irrigation fee 308 203 0.03
Storage cost 802 528 0.07
Electricity 69 45 0.01
Food expense 2,876 1,893 0.24
Repairs 2,456 1,616 0.21
Others a/ 937 617 0.08
NON-CASH COSTS 8,382 5,517 0.70

Organic fertilizers
Liquid 0.28 li. 41 27 c/
Liquid 0.14 li. 21 14 c/
Mulching materials 276.45 kg. 423 278 0.04
Hired labor in kind 0.36 mandays 64 42 0.01
Harvesters' share 287.09 kg. 5,838 3,843 0.49
Caretaker/overseer's wages 14.70 256 169 0.02
Rentals:
Land 83.81 1,430 942 0.12
Landowner's share 16.68 288 189 0.02
Irrigation fee 1.38 21 14 c/
43
Table 29. (Concluded)

Item
IMPUTED COSTS 19,201 12,638 1.61

Planting materials
Seeds 0.08 kg. 195 128 0.02
Organic fertilizers
Solid 18.80 kg. 52 34 c/
Liquid 0.01 li. 1 b/ c/
Solid 0.69 kg. 16 10 c/
Soil ameliorants
Solid 0.17 kg. 1 1 c/
Mulching material 20.89 kg. 21 14 c/
Pesticides
Liquid 0.01 li. 1 b/ c/
Operator labor 34.96 mandays 6,404 4,215 0.54
Family labor 17.02 mandays 2,993 1,970 0.25
Exchange labor 1.63 mandays 350 230 0.03
Depreciation 1,460 961 0.12
Interest on operating capital 4,309 2,836 0.36
Rental value of owned land 3,389 2,230 0.28
Transport cost of inputs 10 7 c/
TOTAL COSTS 130,886 86,150 10.98
GROSS RETURNS 234,843 154,574 19.69

RETURNS ABOVE CASH COSTS 131,540 86,580 11.03
RETURNS ABOVE CASH AND NON-CASH COSTS 123,158 81,063 10.33
NET RETURNS 103,957 68,425 8.72
NET PROFIT-COST RATIO 0.79 0.79 0.79
COST PER KILOGRAM 10.98
a/ Others include red bag and twine

b/ Less than P1.00
c/ Less than P 0.01
44
Table 30. Red Onion: Average variable and fixed production costs, selected provinces, July 2012 - June 2013
(in peso)
Item Per Hectare Per Farm Per Kilogram
VARIABLE COSTS 116,358 76,588 9.76

Planting materials 14,613 9,619 1.23
Fertilizers
Organic
Solid 518 341 0.04
Liquid 63 41 0.01
Inorganic
Solid 18,136 11,937 1.52
Liquid 122 81 0.01
Soil ameliorant
Solid 34 22 b/
Liquid 6 4 b/
Mulching materials 452 298 0.04
Pesticides
Solid 1,670 1,099 0.14
Liquid 7,931 5,220 0.67
Labor
Hired labor 32,493 21,387 2.72
Operator labor 6,404 4,215 0.54
Family labor 2,993 1,970 0.25
Exchage labor 350 230 0.03
Caretaker/overseer's wages 1,758 1,157 0.15
Rentals:
Machine 528 348 0.04
Animals 63 42 0.01
Tools and equipment 44 29 b/
Fuel 6,864 4,518 0.58
Oil 502 330 0.04
Storage cost 802 528 0.07
Electricity costs 69 45 0.01
Food expense 2,876 1,893 0.24
Repairs 2,456 1,616 0.21
Harvesters' share 5,838 3,843 0.49
Others a/ 937 617 0.08
FIXED COSTS 14,527 9,562 1.22

Land tax 421 277 0.04
Lease rental 1,914 1,260 0.16
TOTAL COSTS 130,886 86,150 10.98

b/ Less than P 0.01
45
Table 31. Multiplier Onion: Average production costs and returns per hectare, selected provinces, July 2012 - June 2013

Item
Production 8,432.30 kg. 179,899 40,660 21.33

CASH COSTS 58,597 13,244 6.95

Planting materials
Bulb 94.59 kg. 1,952 441 0.23
Seeds 1.50 kg. 441 100 0.05
Organic fertilizers
Solid 66.67 kg. 272 61 0.03
Liquid 0.03 li. 23 5 c/
Solid 618.18 kg. 12,851 2,905 1.52
Liquid 0.53 li. 146 33 0.02
Pesticides
Solid 2.10 kg. 1,090 246 0.13
Liquid 5.10 li. 4,035 912 0.48
Land tax 91 20 0.01
Rentals:
Land 442 100 0.05
Machine 96 22 0.01
Animals 23 5 c/
Fuel 103.36 li. 4,853 1,097 0.58
Oil 5.10 li. 537 121 0.06
Interest payment on crop loan 1,113 252 0.13
Landowner's share 4,362 986 0.52
Electricity 1,297 293 0.15
Food expense 2,641 597 0.31
Repairs 2,160 488 0.26
Others a/ 643 145 0.08
46

Item
NON-CASH COSTS 33,008 7,460 3.91

Planting materials
Bulb 542.49 kg. 19,701 4,453 2.34
Organic fertilizers
Solid 15.26 kg. 15 3 c/
Mulching materials 2,311.44 kg. 3,652 825 0.43
Rentals:
Machine 11.38 299 68 0.04
Landowner's share 455.05 9,341 2,111 1.11
IMPUTED COSTS 20,607 4,658 2.44

Planting materials
Bulb 5.19 kg. 80 18 0.01
Organic fertilizers
Solid 1.53 kg. 8 2 c/
Solid 0.03 kg. 6 1 c/
Mulching material 99.32 kg. 166 37 0.02
Depreciation 782 177 0.09
Interest on operating capital 2,272 513 0.27
Rental value of owned land 3,580 809 0.42
Others b/ 179 40 0.02
TOTAL COSTS 112,212 25,362 13.31
GROSS RETURNS 179,899 40,660 21.33

NET RETURNS 67,687 15,298 8.03

b/ Others include red bag and twine
c/ Less than P 0.01
47
Table 32. Multiplier Onion: Average variable and fixed production costs, selected provinces, July 2012 - June 2013
(in peso)
VARIABLE COSTS 103,933 23,490 12.33

Fertilizers
Organic
Solid 295 67 0.03
Liquid 23 5 c/
Inorganic
Solid 12,857 2,906 1.52
Liquid 146 33 0.02
Soil ameliorant
Solid b/ b/ c/
Liquid b/ b/ c/
Mulching materials 4,161 940 0.49
Pesticides
Solid 1,090 246 0.13
Liquid 4,035 912 0.48
Labor
Hired labor 18,493 4,180 2.19
Family labor 4,564 1,032 0.54
Caretaker/overseer's wages b/ b/ c/
Rentals:
Machine 396 89 0.05
Animals 23 5 c/
Fuel 4,853 1,097 0.58
Oil 537 121 0.06
Storage cost b/ b/ c/
Electricity costs 1,297 293 0.15
Repairs 2,160 488 0.26
Harvesters' share b/ b/ c/
Others a/ 822 186 0.10
FIXED COSTS 8,279 1,871 0.98

Land tax 91 20 0.01
Lease rental 442 100 0.05
TOTAL COSTS 112,212 25,362 13.31

b/ Less than P 1.00
c/ Less than P 0.01
48
Table 33. Red Onion: Average production costs and returns per hectare, Pangasinan, July 2012 - June 2013

Item
Production 10,404.97 kg. 241,345 116,710 23.20

CASH COSTS 112,802 54,549 10.84

Planting materials
Seeds 6.83 kg. 20,908 10,111 2.01
Organic fertilizers
Solid 11.18 kg. 45 22 b/
Liquid 0.08 li. 17 8 b/
Solid 774.25 kg. 17,408 8,418 1.67
Liquid 0.28 li. 168 81 0.02
Pesticides
Solid 3.65 kg. 1,461 707 0.14
Liquid 14.10 li. 7,285 3,523 0.70
Land tax 390 189 0.04
Caretaker/overseer's wages 286 139 0.03
Rentals:
Land 154 74 0.01
Machine 458 222 0.04
Animals 46 22 b/
Tools and equipment 151 73 0.01
Fuel 213.12 li. 9,493 4,591 0.91
Oil 2.77 li. 385 186 0.04
Food expense 2,873 1,389 0.28
Repairs 4,306 2,082 0.41
Others a/ 117 57 0.01
NON-CASH COSTS 1,039 502 0.10

Hired labor in kind 0.31 mandays 45 22 b/
Rentals:
Land 12.58 220 106 0.02
49

Item
IMPUTED COSTS 18,784 9,083 1.81

Planting materials
Seeds 0.04 kg. 114 55 0.01
Organic fertilizers
Liquid 0.03 li. 3 1 b/
Solid 2.79 kg. 64 31 0.01
Mulching material 4.19 kg. 6 3 b/
Pesticides
Liquid 0.03 li. 3 1 b/
Depreciation 2,533 1,225 0.24
TOTAL COSTS 132,625 64,135 12.75
GROSS RETURNS 241,345 116,710 23.20

NET RETURNS 108,720 52,575 10.45

b/ Less than P 0.01
50
Table 34. Red Onion: Average variable and fixed production costs, Pangasinan, July 2012 - June 2013
(in peso)
VARIABLE COSTS 119,352 57,717 11.47

Fertilizers
Organic
Solid 45 22 c/
Liquid 20 9 c/
Inorganic
Solid 17,472 8,449 1.68
Liquid 168 81 0.02
Soil ameliorant
Solid b/ b/ c/
Liquid b/ b/ c/
Pesticides
Solid 1,461 707 0.14
Liquid 7,288 3,524 0.70
Labor
Hired labor 29,757 14,390 2.86
Family labor 2,578 1,247 0.25
Rentals:
Machine 458 222 0.04
Animals 46 22 c/
Tools and equipment 151 73 0.01
Fuel 9,493 4,591 0.91
Oil 385 186 0.04
Electricity costs b/ b/ c/
Food expense 2,873 1,389 0.28
Repairs 4,306 2,082 0.41
Others a/ 117 57 0.01
FIXED COSTS 13,273 6,419 1.28

Land tax 390 189 0.04
Depreciation 2,533 1,225 0.24
TOTAL COSTS 132,625 64,135 12.75

b/ Less than P 1.00
c/ Less than P 0.01
51
Table 35. Red Onion: Average production costs and returns per hectare, Nueva Ecija, July 2012 - June 2013

Item
Production 12,648.36 kg. 259,064 204,953 20.48

CASH COSTS 105,595 83,539 8.35

Planting materials
Seeds 5.14 kg. 13,115 10,376 1.04
Organic fertilizers
Solid 566.85 kg. 1,096 867 0.09
Liquid 0.02 li. 43 34 b/
Solid 879.82 kg. 19,032 15,056 1.50
Liquid 0.20 li. 76 60 0.01
Soil ameliorants
Solid 6.09 kg. 83 66 0.01
Liquid 0.02 li. 16 13 b/
Mulching materials 45.40 kg. 23 18 b/
Pesticides
Solid 3.16 kg. 1,231 974 0.10
Liquid 9.58 li. 6,980 5,522 0.55
Land tax 609 482 0.05
Rentals:
Land 747 591 0.06
Machine 814 644 0.06
Animals 39 31 b/
Tools and equipment 18 14 b/
Fuel 91.42 li. 4,027 3,186 0.32
Oil 3.51 li. 495 391 0.04
Storage cost 2,067 1,635 0.16
Food expense 3,363 2,661 0.27
Repairs 2,560 2,025 0.20
Others a/ 1,997 1,580 0.16
NON-CASH COSTS 16,612 13,142 1.31

Hired labor in kind 0.73 mandays 136 108 0.01
Harvesters' share 740.11 kg. 15,050 11,906 1.19
Rentals:
Land 32.76 494 391 0.04
52

Item
IMPUTED COSTS 19,380 15,332 1.53

Planting materials
Seeds 0.18 kg. 430 340 0.03
Organic fertilizers
Solid 48.46 kg. 134 106 0.01
Soil ameliorants
Solid 0.43 kg. 4 3 b/
TOTAL COSTS 141,587 112,014 11.19
GROSS RETURNS 259,064 204,953 20.48

NET RETURNS 117,477 92,939 9.29

b/ Less than P 0.01
53
Table 36. Red Onion: Average variable and fixed production costs, Nueva Ecija, July 2012 - June 2013
(in peso)
VARIABLE COSTS 127,247 100,668 10.06

Fertilizers
Organic
Solid 1,230 973 0.10
Liquid 43 34 c/
Inorganic
Solid 19,032 15,056 1.50
Liquid 76 60 0.01
Soil ameliorant
Solid 87 68 0.01
Liquid 16 13 c/
Pesticides
Solid 1,231 974 0.10
Liquid 6,980 5,522 0.55
Labor
Hired labor 38,035 30,090 3.01
Family labor 1,742 1,379 0.14
Other permanent employee's salary b/ b/ c/
Rentals:
Machine 814 644 0.06
Animals 39 31 c/
Fuel 4,027 3,186 0.32
Oil 495 391 0.04
Storage cost 2,067 1,635 0.16
Food expense 3,363 2,661 0.27
Repairs 2,560 2,025 0.20
Harvesters' share 15,050 11,906 1.19
Others a/ 1,997 1,580 0.16
FIXED COSTS 14,340 11,345 1.13

Land tax 609 482 0.05
Lease rental 1,242 982 0.10
TOTAL COSTS 141,587 112,014 11.19

b/ Less than P 1.00
c/ Less than P 0.01
54
Table 37. Red Onion: Average production costs and returns per hectare, Mindoro Occidental, July 2012 - June 2013

Item
Production 12,183.29 kg. 204,696 144,242 16.80

CASH COSTS 94,435 66,545 7.75

Planting materials
Seeds 3.51 kg. 11,409 8,040 0.94
Organic fertilizers
Solid 19.24 kg. 83 58 0.01
Solid 748.57 kg. 17,633 12,425 1.45
Liquid 0.05 li. 84 59 0.01
Pesticides
Solid 3.41 kg. 2,277 1,605 0.19
Liquid 9.87 li. 9,376 6,607 0.77
Land tax 243 171 0.02
Rentals:
Land 426 300 0.03
Machine 272 191 0.02
Animals 101 71 0.01
Fuel 174.82 li. 8,098 5,706 0.66
Oil 4.22 li. 589 415 0.05
Food expense 2,359 1,662 0.19
Repairs 1,093 770 0.09
Others a/ 365 257 0.03
NON-CASH COSTS 4,606 3,246 0.38

Organic fertilizers
Liquid 0.76 li. 114 80 0.01
Liquid 0.38 li. 57 40 b/
Caretaker/overseer's wages 40.26 703 495 0.06
Rentals:
Land 186.30 3,245 2,287 0.27
Irrigation fee 3.78 57 40 b/
55

Item
IMPUTED COSTS 19,292 13,595 1.58

Transport cost of inputs 28 20 b/
TOTAL COSTS 118,334 83,386 9.71
GROSS RETURNS 204,696 144,242 16.80

NET RETURNS 86,362 60,857 7.09

b/ Less than P 0.01
56
Table 38. Red Onion: Average variable and fixed production costs, Mindoro Occidental, July 2012 - June 2013
(in peso)
VARIABLE COSTS 102,759 72,411 8.43

Fertilizers
Organic
Solid 83 58 0.01
Liquid 114 80 0.01
Inorganic
Solid 17,633 12,425 1.45
Liquid 141 99 0.01
Soil ameliorant
Solid b/ b/ c/
Liquid b/ b/ c/
Pesticides
Solid 2,277 1,605 0.19
Liquid 9,376 6,607 0.77
Labor
Hired labor 28,456 20,052 2.34
Family labor 4,603 3,243 0.38
Rentals:
Machine 272 191 0.02
Animals 101 71 0.01
Tools and equipment b/ b/ c/
Fuel 8,098 5,706 0.66
Oil 589 415 0.05
Electricity costs b/ b/ c/
Red Bag b/ b/ c/
Food expense 2,359 1,662 0.19
Repairs 1,093 770 0.09
Others a/ 365 257 0.03
FIXED COSTS 15,575 10,975 1.28

Land tax 243 171 0.02
Lease rental 3,671 2,587 0.30
TOTAL COSTS 118,334 83,386 9.71

b/ Less than P 1.00
c/ Less than P 0.01
57
Table 39. Multiplier Onion: Average production costs and returns per hectare, Ilocos Norte, July 2012 - June 2013

Item
Production 7,441.31 kg. 181,237 30,308 24.36

CASH COSTS 59,178 9,896 7.95

Planting materials
Bulb 194.34 kg. 3,580 599 0.48
Seeds 3.98 kg. 1,168 195 0.16
Organic fertilizers
Solid 38.38 kg. 65 11 0.01
Solid 577.72 kg. 11,686 1,954 1.57
Liquid 0.65 li. 119 20 0.02
Pesticides
Solid 2.00 kg. 994 166 0.13
Liquid 5.54 li. 3,764 629 0.51
Land tax 126 21 0.02
Rentals:
Machine 110 18 0.01
Animals 24 4 c/
Fuel 150.97 li. 7,251 1,213 0.97
Oil 2.55 li. 321 54 0.04
Interest payment on crop loan 652 109 0.09
Landowner's share 2,836 474 0.38
Repairs 2,187 366 0.29
Others a/ 556 93 0.07
NON-CASH COSTS 25,215 4,217 3.39

Planting materials
Bulb 417.66 kg. 8,440 1,411 1.13
Rentals:
Machine 30.14 793 133 0.11
58

Item
IMPUTED COSTS 22,468 3,757 3.02

Planting materials
Bulb 6.30 kg. 63 11 0.01
Organic fertilizers
Solid 4.04 kg. 20 3 c/
Solid 0.08 kg. 16 3 c/
Mulching material 263.03 kg. 438 73 0.06
Family labor 25.19 mandays 4,903 820 0.66
Others b/ 151 25 0.02
TOTAL COSTS 106,861 17,870 14.36
GROSS RETURNS 181,237 30,308 24.36

NET RETURNS 74,376 12,438 10.00

c/ Less than P 0.01
59
Table 40. Multiplier Onion: Average variable and fixed production costs, Ilocos Norte, July 2012 - June 2013
(in peso)
VARIABLE COSTS 101,204 16,924 13.60

Fertilizers
Organic
Solid 85 14 0.01
Liquid b/ b/ c/
Inorganic
Solid 11,702 1,957 1.57
Liquid 119 20 0.02
Soil ameliorant
Solid b/ b/ c/
Liquid b/ b/ c/
Mulching materials 7,047 1,178 0.95
Pesticides
Solid 994 166 0.13
Liquid 3,764 629 0.51
Labor
Hired labor 19,519 3,264 2.62
Family labor 4,903 820 0.66
Rentals:
Machine 903 151 0.12
Animals 24 4 c/
Fuel 7,251 1,213 0.97
Oil 321 54 0.04
Repairs 2,187 366 0.29
Others a/ 707 118 0.10
FIXED COSTS 5,657 946 0.76

Land tax 126 21 0.02
Lease rental b/ b/ c/
Interest payment on crop loan 652 109 0.09
TOTAL COSTS 106,861 17,870 14.36

b/ Less than P 1.00
c/ Less than P 0.01
60
Table 41. Multiplier Onion: Average production costs and returns per hectare, Ilocos Sur, July 2012 - June 2013

Item
Production 9,033.54 kg. 179,088 51,449 19.82

CASH COSTS 58,244 16,733 6.45

Planting materials
Bulb 34.07 kg. 965 277 0.11
Organic fertilizers
Solid 83.84 kg. 398 114 0.04
Liquid 0.05 li. 36 10 c/
Solid 642.73 kg. 13,558 3,895 1.50
Liquid 0.45 li. 162 47 0.02
Pesticides
Solid 2.16 kg. 1,147 330 0.13
Liquid 4.83 li. 4,200 1,207 0.46
Land tax 69 20 0.01
Rentals:
Land 711 204 0.08
Machine 88 25 0.01
Animals 23 6 c/
Fuel 74.47 li. 3,398 976 0.38
Oil 6.66 li. 669 192 0.07
Electricity 1,850 532 0.20
Repairs 2,144 616 0.24
Others a/ 696 200 0.08
NON-CASH COSTS 37,736 10,841 4.18

Planting materials
Bulb 618.22 kg. 26,532 7,622 2.94
Organic fertilizers
Solid 24.51 kg. 25 7 c/
61

Item
IMPUTED COSTS 19,479 5,596 2.16

Planting materials
Bulb 4.51 kg. 90 26 0.01
Transport cost of inputs 15 4 c/
Others b/ 196 56 0.02
TOTAL COSTS 115,459 33,170 12.78
GROSS RETURNS 179,088 51,449 19.82

NET RETURNS 63,629 18,280 7.04

c/ Less than P 0.01
62
Table 42. Multiplier Onion: Average variable and fixed production costs, Ilocos Sur, July 2012 - June 2013
(in peso)
VARIABLE COSTS 105,589 30,334 11.69

Fertilizers
Organic
Solid 422 121 0.05
Liquid 36 10 c/
Inorganic
Solid 13,558 3,895 1.50
Liquid 162 47 0.02
Soil ameliorant
Solid b/ b/ c/
Liquid b/ b/ c/
Mulching materials 2,410 692 0.27
Pesticides
Solid 1,147 330 0.13
Liquid 4,200 1,207 0.46
Labor
Hired labor 17,871 5,134 1.98
Family labor 4,358 1,252 0.48
Rentals:
Machine 88 25 0.01
Animals 23 6 c/
Tools and equipment b/ b/ c/
Fuel 3,398 976 0.38
Oil 669 192 0.07
Irrigation fee b/ b/ c/
Electricity costs 1,850 532 0.20
Red Bag b/ b/ c/
Repairs 2,144 616 0.24
Others a/ 892 256 0.10
FIXED COSTS 9,870 2,835 1.09

Land tax 69 20 0.01
TOTAL COSTS 115,459 33,170 12.78

b/ Less than P 1.00
c/ Less than P 0.01
63
Table 43a. Inter-provincial comparison of average production costs and returns per hectare
by major cost item, selected provinces, July 2012 - June 2013
(in peso)
Province/ Cash Non-cash Imputed Total Gross
Variety Planted Costs Costs Costs Costs Returns
Red Onion
Pangasinan 112,802 1,039 18,784 132,625 241,345
Nueva Ecija 105,595 16,612 19,380 141,587 259,064
Mindoro Occidental 94,435 4,606 19,292 118,334 204,696
Multiplier Onion
Ilocos Norte 59,178 25,215 22,468 106,861 181,237
Ilocos Sur 58,244 37,736 19,479 115,459 179,088
Table 43b. Inter-provincial comparison of profitability of onion production,

(in peso)
Returns Above
Province/ Returns Above Net Net Profit-cost
Cash and Non-cash
Variety Planted Cash Costs Returns Ratio
Costs
Red Onion
Pangasinan 128,543 127,504 108,720 0.82
Nueva Ecija 153,470 136,857 117,477 0.83
Mindoro Occidental 110,261 105,654 86,362 0.73
Multiplier Onion
Ilocos Norte 122,059 96,844 74,376 0.70
Ilocos Sur 120,844 83,108 63,629 0.55
64
Table 44. Percentage distribution of onion produce by disposition item
Other Land For

Sold / Harvesters' Landowner's
Province Laborers' Lease/ Home
To be Sold Share Share
Share Rental Consumption
All Provinces 90.20 0.30 0.02 3.11 0.76 0.43
Ilocos Norte 81.69 5.90 0.46

Ilocos Sur 89.78 5.26 0.41
Pangasinan 95.16 0.21 0.36
Nueva Ecija 96.09 5.97 0.06 0.03 1.16
Table 44. (Continued)
Used/
Given Paid to
Province To be Used Wastage Processor Others a/
Away Creditor
for Seeds
All Provinces 1.26 0.05 4.17 1.18 b/ 0.14
Ilocos Norte 1.24 10.11 0.18 0.43

Ilocos Sur 1.41 0.14 6.04 0.42 b/
Nueva Ecija 1.26 0.19 0.70 0.50
a/ Others include irrigation fee and storage fee

b/ Less than 0.01 percent
65
Table 45. Percentage of onion farmers reporting on current level of production in comparison
with the same period last year, selected provinces, July 2012 - June 2013
Province Higher This Year Lower This Year About The Same
All Provinces 32.05 46.03 16.99
Ilocos Norte 31.08 50.00 10.81

Ilocos Sur 16.90 53.52 22.54
Pangasinan 24.32 39.19 36.49
Nueva Ecija 54.93 32.39 12.68
Table 46. Percentage of onion farmers with higher volume of production this year by reason
for change in production, selected provinces, July 2012 - June 2013
Reasons For Change in Production

Province Increase Good Good Quality Used Adequate
Others a/
in Area Weather of Seeds Fertilizer Water Supply
All Provinces 15.38 40.17 25.64 17.95 1.71 5.13
Ilocos Norte 8.70 34.78 30.43 26.09 4.35

Ilocos Sur 33.33 16.67 50.00 16.67 8.33
Pangasinan 5.56 77.78 16.67 16.67
Nueva Ecija 5.13 48.72 23.08 20.51 2.56 2.56
a/ Others include good soil condition and proper farm management
66
Table 47. Percentage of onion farmers with lower volume of production this year by reason
for change in production, selected provinces, July 2012 - June 2013
Reasons For Change in Production

Province Decrease Bad Pests and Low Quality Inadequate Poor Quality
in Area Weather Diseases of Seeds Water Supply of Produce
All Provinces 12.50 55.95 45.83 15.48 1.19 4.17
Ilocos Norte 13.51 64.86 27.03 10.81 5.41

Ilocos Sur 15.79 50.00 65.79 5.26 2.63
Pangasinan 75.86 48.28 10.34
Nueva Ecija 8.70 47.83 8.70 26.09 4.35 8.70
Mindoro Occidental 19.51 43.90 63.41 26.83 2.44 4.88
Table 48. Percentage of onion farmers reporting problems on production, selected provinces, July 2012 - June 2013
Rough or Inadequate
Pests High Bad Poor Road/ Supply of Poor Poor
Lack of
Province and Cost of Weather/ Inadequate Water/ Soil Quality
Capital
Diseases Inputs Calamities Transport Irrigation Condition of Seeds
Facilities Problem
All Provinces 50.96 38.36 41.64 27.95 3.01 2.74 1.64 1.92
Ilocos Norte 40.54 40.54 44.59 9.46 6.76 4.05 2.70

Ilocos Sur 60.56 50.70 39.44 38.03 1.41 1.41
Pangasinan 45.95 18.92 63.51 41.89 2.70 1.35 2.70
Nueva Ecija 43.66 11.27 40.85 4.23 1.41 1.41 1.41 7.04
67
Table 49. Percentage of onion farmers who sold produce by major buyer,
Wholesaler-
Province Agent Wholesaler Exporter Assembler Consumer
retailer
All Provinces 31.04 36.26 17.58 2.47 12.91 0.27
Ilocos Norte 12.33 28.77 16.44 42.47

Ilocos Sur 53.52 28.17 1.41 9.86 9.86
Pangasinan 28.38 50.00 21.62
Nueva Ecija 38.03 38.03 12.68 9.86 1.41
Table 50. Percentage of onion farmers reporting problems on marketing of produce,

Rough Roads/ No Buyer/ Lack of

Unstable Low Price
Province High Transport Market Marketing
Prices of Produce
Cost Outlet Information
All Provinces 85.21 3.01 49.04 11.78 4.11
Ilocos Norte 68.92 1.35 62.16 4.05 4.05

Ilocos Sur 88.73 59.15 32.39 7.04
Pangasinan 93.24 6.76 41.89 2.70 6.76
Nueva Ecija 94.37 2.82 14.08 1.41 1.41
68
Table 51. Percentage of onion farmers who availed of loans for onion production and
by source of loan, selected provinces, July 2012 - June 2013
Percentage of Source
Province Onion Farmers Private Microfinance
Cooperative Bank
Who Availed Loan Individual Institution
All Provinces 37.53 13.97 8.82 72.06 5.15
Ilocos Norte 12.16 11.11 44.44 44.44

Ilocos Sur 53.52 28.95 5.26 63.16 2.63
Pangasinan 48.65 2.78 5.56 86.11 5.56
Nueva Ecija 32.39 26.09 73.91
Table 52. Percentage of onion farmers who are aware and availed of benefit from government programs/
interventions in onion production, selected provinces, July 2012 - June 2013
Aware of Government Availed of Benefit from Government

Province
Programs/Interventions Programs/Interventions

Pangasinan 22.97
69
Table 53. Percentage of onion farmers who received benefit from government programs/
interventions on onion production, selected provinces, July 2012 - June 2013
Fertilizer Training on Post

Irrigation
Province Seeds and Other Farming Harvest Tools a/
Facilities
Inputs Technology Facilities
All Provinces 30.77 15.38 53.85 3.85 3.85 3.85
Ilocos Norte 100.00

Ilocos Sur 7.69 7.69 76.92 7.69 7.69 7.69
Pangasinan
Nueva Ecija 70.00 10.00 30.00
a/ Rubber hose
Table 54. Percentage of onion farmers who used the benefit received and increased farm income,
Used the Benefit Received

Province Increased Farm Income
from the Government

Ilocos Sur 100.00 76.92
Pangasinan
70
Table 55. Percentage of onion farmers by perceived effect of climate change on their farming practices,
Effect
Affected
Change in Decrease in Increase Decrease in
Province By Climate Decrease
Cropping Number of in Input Frequency Others a/
Change in Yield
Pattern Cropping Usage of Plowing
All Provinces 63.84 26.61 10.30 9.44 68.24 0.86 5.15
Ilocos Norte 70.27 11.54 3.85 7.69 90.38 5.77

Ilocos Sur 50.70 22.22 16.67 63.89 2.78
Pangasinan 55.41 60.98 7.32 12.20 46.34 2.44 2.44
Nueva Ecija 63.38 31.11 22.22 55.56 15.56
a/ Others include crop deseases and poor quality of produce
Table 56. Percentage of onion farmers practicing natural farming using organic fertilizers,
Province Practice Natural Farming Using Organic Fertilizers
All Provinces 9.59
Ilocos Norte 1.35

Ilocos Sur 8.45
Pangasinan
Nueva Ecija 33.80
71
Table 57. Percentage of onion farmers who are members of farmers' organization and by type
of benefit received, selected provinces, July 2012 - June 2013
Benefits received
Members of
Financial/ Irrigation
Province Farmers' Training/ Inputs Marketing
Credit and Farm
Organization Seminars Support Support
Support Equipment
All Provinces 33.42 24.59 9.84 14.75 0.82 12.30
Ilocos Norte 35.14 11.54 3.85 3.85 38.46

Ilocos Sur 85.92 8.20 9.84 14.75 1.64
Pangasinan 28.38 66.67 14.29 4.76 9.52
Table 58. Percentage distribution of onion farmers reporting on the plan of farm operation,
Maintain Current
Province Expand Operation Others a/
Operation
All Provinces 60.55 33.42 6.03
Ilocos Norte 74.32 16.22 9.46

Ilocos Sur 64.79 19.72 15.49
Pangasinan 60.81 35.14 4.05
Nueva Ecija 56.34 42.25 1.41
a/ Others include decrease in farm area, stop planting operation, shift to other crop and
some are undecided due to lack of capital and planting materials
72
Table 59. Percentage of onion farmers reporting on the recommendations to further improve
the onion production, selected provinces, July 2012 - June 2013
Improve Regulate
Price Infrastructure Financial
Province Irrigation Price of
Support Facilities Support
Services Farm Inputs
All Provinces 86.58 8.49 5.75 47.40 49.59
Ilocos Norte 90.54 8.11 2.70 45.95 24.32

Ilocos Sur 95.77 1.41 39.44 59.15
Pangasinan 78.38 17.57 14.86 20.27 78.38
Nueva Ecija 78.87 5.63 4.23 46.48 33.80
Soil Land New/Modern

Environmental
Province Testing/ Reform Farming Others a/
Concern
Analysis Program Technologies
All Provinces 6.85 1.37 0.55 28.49 12.33
Ilocos Norte 9.46 22.97 12.16

Ilocos Sur 7.04 1.41 26.76 26.76
Pangasinan 4.05 4.05 2.70 13.51 1.35
Nueva Ecija 4.23 1.41 5.63 18.31
a/ Others include input support from the government, use of organic fertilizer, marketing support and prevent importation
73
Republic of the Philippines
Philippine Statistics Authority
(Bureau of Agricultural Statistics)
Ben-Lor Bldg., 1184 Quezon Avenue, Quezon City
Agricultural Accounts and Statistical Indicators Division
Tel. No. 372-3823
aasid.bas@gmail.com
http://www.bas.gov.ph

2013 CRS Onion Report

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2013 CRS Onion Report

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APRIL 2014

Republic of the Philippines

The Philippine Statistics Authority - Bureau of Agricultural Statistics (PSA–

The PSA-BAS gratefully acknowledges the financial support provided by the

LIST OF TABLES iii

II. SURVEY METHODOLOGY 2

III. SURVEY OPERATION 3

IV. DATA PROCESSING 4

V. DATA REVIEW AND ANALYSIS 4

VI. HIGHLIGHTS OF THE SURVEY FINDINGS 5

Table No. Page

1 Percentage distribution of onion farmers by sex, selected

2 Average age of onion farmers and percentage distribution

3 Percentage distribution of onion farmers by educational

4 Average farming experience of onion farmers and percentage

5 Percentage distribution of onion farmers by main occupation,

6 Average farm size, area planted and harvested of onion focus

7 Average area planted and harvested by variety, selected

8 Percentage distribution of onion farm parcels by tenurial

9 Percentage of onion farmers by type of farm investment,

10 Percentage distribution of onion farmers by number of

11 Percentage distribution of onion farmers by variety planted,

12 Percentage of onion farmers by source of seeds, selected

13 Percentage of onion farmers planting other crops, selected

14 Percentage distribution of onion farmers by variety planted and

16a Percentage of onion farmers by method of land preparation and

16b Percentage of onion farmers by method of weeding, selected

17 Percentage of onion farmers by type of solid fertilizers

18 Percentage of onion farmers by type of liquid fertilizers used and

19 Percentage of onion farmers by type of pesticides used and

20 Average quantity of planting materials used per hectare by

21 Average quantity of solid fertilizers applied per hectare by

22 Average quantity of liquid fertilizers applied per hectare by

23 Average quantity of fertilizer nutrients applied per hectare by

24 Average quantity of mulching materials used per hectare by

25 Average quantity of pesticides applied per hectare by type and

26 Average labor utilization per hectare of onion production by

27 Average labor utilization per hectare of red onion production

29 Red Onion: Average production costs and returns per hectare,

30 Red Onion: Average variable and fixed production costs,

31 Multiplier Onion: Average production costs and returns per

32 Multiplier Onion: Average variable and fixed production costs,

33 Red Onion: Average production costs and returns per hectare,

34 Red Onion: Average variable and fixed production costs,

35 Red Onion: Average production costs and returns per hectare,

36 Red Onion: Average variable and fixed production costs,

37 Red Onion: Average production costs and returns per hectare,

38 Red Onion: Average variable and fixed production costs,

39 Multiplier Onion: Average production costs and returns

40 Multiplier Onion: Average variable and fixed production costs,

41 Multiplier Onion: Average production costs and returns

42 Multiplier Onion: Average variable and fixed production costs,

43b Inter-provincial comparison of profitability of onion production,

44 Percentage distribution of onion produce by disposition item,

45 Percentage of onion farmers reporting on current level of

46 Percentage of onion farmers with higher volume of production

47 Percentage of onion farmers with lower volume of production

48 Percentage of onion farmers reporting problems on production,

49 Percentage of onion farmers who sold produce by major buyer,

50 Percentage of onion farmers reporting problems on marketing

51 Percentage of onion farmers who availed of loans for onion

52 Percentage of onion farmers who are aware and availed of benefit

53 Percentage of onion farmers who received benefit from

54 Percentage of onion farmers who used the benefit received and