Ilocos Norte partners with Japan, Taiwan to improve garlic

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Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) and the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte, Philippines, are collaborating with Japanese and Taiwanese organizations to enhance garlic production using advanced farming techniques. The partnership includes the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Garlic Project and the Taiwan International Cooperation and Development Fund (ICDF).

JICA, through consultant Hideto Daiko, emphasizes the global market potential of Ilocos-grown black garlic. Daiko stated, “We want you, Ilocano farmers, to embrace these Japanese methods to produce bigger and healthier garlic for better harvests and greater market value.” The initiative focuses on improving farming practices, creating high-value products, and advancing black garlic research and quality assurance.

During the 2025 Garlic Festival, JICA provided farmer training, sharing Japan’s best practices, including optimal techniques, planting seasons, and cultivars. Concurrently, Eric Chen from ICDF outlined a plan to enhance garlic and shallot yields via demo farms, capacity-building activities, cooperative reorganization, and improved distribution systems. Chen remarked, “We aim to empower local farmers with knowledge and support systems that will enhance production and market competitiveness.”

This plan aligns with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2, 8, and 12, targeting an increase in average farmer income per hectare. MMSU is also advancing the sector through a project supported by the Department of Science and Technology – Niche Centers in the Regions for Research and Development (DOST-NICER). This project focuses on black garlic processing, modern planting methods, and tissue culture-based propagation to enhance garlic variety and resistance.

MMSU’s GarliTech+ mobile app will guide farmers with weather sensing, pest detection, and solution recommendations, with public availability anticipated soon. MMSU professor James Patrick Acang mentioned, “We’re in the final stages of development. We hope this app reaches your hands in the coming months.”

Farmer Alvin Vila from Burgos expressed his appreciation, stating, “The event introduced new techniques and technologies. We learned how to grow garlic better and raise our concerns as farmers.”

Ilocos Norte, as a leading garlic-producing region, aims to position its garlic on the global stage, seeking recognition beyond Philippine borders.

Source: Philippine Information Agency

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