LAOAG CITY, Feb. 13 -- Small-scale farmers in Ilocos Norte are inspired to grow more onions this year after a cooperative was given a PHP2.6 million grant for the procurement of a refrigerated delivery truck.

Primrose Manglal-lan, chair of the Board of Directors of the Bacarra Multi-Purpose Cooperative, confirmed this to the Philippine News Agency on Tuesday, saying the delivery of the 8.5-ton capacity truck is expected in March.

"We are so glad and thankful to have a refrigerated delivery truck to better serve our farmer-members. This will unlock more opportunities for small-scale farmers to grow their income," she said in a phone interview.

To minimize post-harvest losses and to have better access to the food value chain, the Ilocos...