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Francisco Alvarez and the PHilMech Onion Mechanical Seeder
by Jett Molech G. Subaba (March 18, 2019)
In his 17 years of onion farming, Francisco has never been as excited as he is today. The PHilMech onion mechanical seeder would be introduced to him and tested on his farm in Bayambang, Pangasinan.

Mr. Alvarez, 49, allowed PHilMech to use 1,000 m2 of his land for the trial of the onion seeder after it was introduced to them during a hands-on training conducted by the Socio Economics and Policy Research Division (SEPRD) of PHilMech headed then by Dr. Renita S.M. dela Cruz.

Before he focused on farming in year 2000, he worked as a seaman voyaging the oceans around European continent for 13 years. However, an accident forced him to retire from his job early. He returned to his hometown. Franciso left the oceans and followed his fate in the farms of Pangasinan.

He used his savings in acquiring agricultural lands. His farming skills which he acquired from his mother and grandfather, who were both farmers, provided for the basic needs of his family especially their four children’s education. His firstborn son just finished college as marine engineer, following his footsteps.

Last November 15, 2016, Mr. Alvarez was assisted by SEPRD-PHilMech team in the pilot testing of the 10-row onion seeder on his farm. They tried it on 1,000 m2 area alongside the land with broadcasted seeds. Francisco found out that the amount of seeds used with the multi-row onion seeder consumed fewer cans (6 to 7 cans) per hectare than with the broadcasting method (20 cans). Thus, cheaper cost for the seeds.

Moreover, the labor cost also significantly decreased as the seeder only required three people. Traditional practice requires 15 to 20 people. There was also no need to thin or separate overcrowded onions because the multi-row onion seeder offers equal space and well-arranged planting positions.

He even added that with the seeder, the growth of the onions are simultaneous and equal because the amount of soil covered in each seed during planting is equal unlike in manual transplanting, the amount of soil varies.

Mr. Alvarez is confident of the benefits of using the multi-row onion seeder of PHilMech because of his own experience. He even plans to loan from the bank just to acquire one for his farm.

“For me, this technology is beneficial for farmers since it cuts down (production) costs. I will go for direct seeding using the onion seeder. The seed is fixed and once its roots grow, its growth is continuously even,” he said.

Aside from his effective farming practices, Mr. Alvarez lived by these four values which he believes brought success into his life as a farmer. First is his trust in God which makes him resilient even in times of calamity. Second is self-discipline and management; third is hard work and diligence and fourth is luck.

“Remember your Lord as soon as you go out of your house—the Lord is our foundation. When calamities hit us, it is normal to be discouraged but our faith in God allows us to think of ways to cope with it,” said Mr. Alvarez
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