Manila, April 10 -- Exciting and fun-filled activities featuring the aromatic flavor of the Ilocos garlic renewed interest of farmers and entrepreneurs to plant more and improve their products to a wider market.

Highlighting the significance of garlic for food and medicine, the garlic festival opened on Thursday at the Mariano Marcos State University Student Center, gathering key players from public and private institutions including the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Taiwan Technical Mission in the Philippines, to reinvigorate the garlic industry in Ilocos Norte, which remains as the top producer in the country.

As a garlic farmer for decades in Laoag City, Angelo Mateo, 51, said he is eager to learn more about t...