Hybrid shallot as a potential money-maker
CLOSE UP OF MASERATI BULBS – The bulbs of the Maserati shallot are very very intense red and are much bigger than the bulbs of Lasona or native shallot traditionally planted by Ilocano farmers in the North. The variety is high-yielding and grows well More than 200 farmers from towns in Ilocos Sur, Ilocos Norte, Pangasinan and elsewhere witnessed the potential of Maserati as a money-maker for farmers during the Allium Festival held at the farm of Jose Madriaga in Tay-ac, Bantay, Ilocos Sur last March 1. Maserati is a new shallot hybrid introduced only last year by Ramgo International Corporation, a pioneer in the vegetable seed business in the Philippines.
Beautiful Maserati harvest from a planter in Vintar, Ilocos Norte impressed the farmers for the big size of the bulbs and their intense red color which are characteristics sought after by traders as well as consumers. At the same time, the attendees also witnessed the very excellent stand of the Maserati plants in Madriaga’s farm which were 65 ays old from transplanting during the event.
As per the harvest in Vintar, one square meter could yield as much as nine kilos, according to Madriaga. Bulbs of 15 plants make one kilo. Judging from the robust stand of Madriaga’s plants, he said he could harvest R120,000 worth of fresh bulbs, including the leaves, at only R20 per kilo from 4,000 square meters. During the Allium Festival, we learned that a kilo of Lasona, the local variety of shallot, as selling from R25 to R30 per kilo.
