THE Ministry of Agriculture’s Region Five Model Farm has successfully cultivated the Red Head Eschalot (red onion), marking a significant step in diversifying local agricultural production.
Comparative tests conducted at the facility evaluated the performance of this variety against local chives in terms of leaf and bulb size, as well as resistance to pests such as the leaf miner. The results were highly promising, demonstrating superior growth and resilience.
The Red Head Eschalot is a highly sought-after variety in the local market, due to its quality and versatility. Its successful cultivation at the Model Farm presents an opportunity for increased production to meet growing demand.

A key contributor to the success of the initiative was the government’s part-time worker programme, which engages workers for 10-day cycles. These workers attend to the crop at the Ministry of Agriculture’s demonstration facility.
This achievement highlights the government’s ongoing efforts to enhance agricultural productivity, introduce improved crop varieties, and create employment opportunities in the sector. The Ministry is expected to explore further expansion of Red Head Eschalot cultivation to boost local supply, and support farmers in integrating this variety into their production systems.