Adaptation of high-temperature storage for multiplier bulb sets under Philippine condition

Abstract

The study addressed the problem of inadequate technologies that could be utilized for the storage of multiplier bulb sets considering the limited on-farm resources and practices of the farmers producing multiplier onions.  The application of high temperature storage which was found to be technically and financially viable under certain conditions by several researchers (Tripathi and Lawande, 2006; Jallorina, 2012; Idago, Dela Cruz and Miranda, 2015) was evaluated in comparison with the existing storage practices.  The storage study was done for two cropping seasons, 2016-2017, with a total of six farmer-cooperators from Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur and Nueva Ecija.  Comparison of the quality and quantity indicators as affected by the high temperature storage structure (HTSS) and the farmers' practice was done using the t-test at 5% level of significance.  Partial budget analysis was done to assess the potential benefits that could be derived from the use of the technology in comparison with the present practice.

HTSS significantly reduced storage loss of multiplier bulb sets by 20.39 percentage points in six months.  The values of onions saved were higher than the value of installing and operating the HTSS giving postive change in income of PhP16.15 kg-1 of bulb sets stored for six months.  Acceptability of the technology was high among the potential farmer-users with 93.6 percent of them convinced of its effectiveness and indicated willingness to adopt.

About 427,400 kg which is conservatively valued at PhP 34.19 to PhP 51.20 million annually can be saved using the HTSS.  Approximately 7,000 small-scale farmers of multiplier onion using bulb sets as planting material specifically the farmers in northern and central provinces of the Philippines, could benefit from the technology.  HTSS will work best in multiplier that have not been rained down before harvesting.i