LAOAG CITY — The Department of Agriculture and the provincial government is intensifying efforts to help rice farmers in Ilocos Norte to shift into planting high-value commercial crops to boost their productivity.

Farmers in the seven onion-producing towns of the province are now preparing for the planting of at least 50 tons of shallot bulbs provided by the government.

Provincial Agriculture Office officer-in-charge Maria Teresa Bacnat said that the DA allocated planting materials for Ilocos Norte farmers.

"At least one ton of planting materials (shallot bulbs) was allocated for every one hectare," Bacnat said.

Farmer-recipients under the program are from the towns of Badoc who are tilling 15 hectares, Pinili with eight hectares, Paoay, seven hectares; Bacarra, seven hectares; Currimao, five hectares; Batac, five hectares; and Vintar with three hectares.

On 1 September, the Agriculture department also distributed an initial 25 tons of shallot bulbs to various local government units in Ilocos Sur while an additional 25 tons of planting materials are expected to be distributed once delivered by the supplier.

According to DA authorities, 50 tons of planting materials have an approximate yield of 600 tons.