Manila, March 30 -- The Department of Agriculture (DA) on Monday intensified targeted onion procurement to support local growers amid farmgate price pressures.

This comes as the Food Terminal Inc. (FTI) accelerates market intervention in partnership with the private sector to support onion farmers in Occidental Mindoro.

In a statement, DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said the move is critical to stabilize price swings "without distorting the market."

"We must strike a careful balance - ensuring farmers earn fairly while protecting consumers from price spikes," he said.

"Strategic buying and storage allow us to support producers during periods of oversupply, while preserving enough buffer to prevent sharp increases in retail pric...