DA’s Kadiwa ni Ani at Kita On Wheels and Express has brought farmers’ agricultural commodities closer to the buying public within CdeO. (Photo credits: ATCabig) 

 

CdeO, April 9 – Making its rounds within the city, the Department of Agriculture – Northern Mindanao’s (DA-10) Kadiwa ni Ani at Kita On Wheels and Express displaying farmers’ produce, has generated about P488,613.00 in sales.

Its operations for the Kadiwa On-Wheels has already served the following barangays: Upper Carmen, Iponan, Kauswagan, Patag, Lumbia and Agusan.

In April 7, the Kadiwa Express alone, staged at the agency grounds in Antonio Luna Street, garnered the highest sales at P171,688.00.

The Kadiwa is being facilitated by the department’s Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division (AMAD), where they sought supplies of agri-fishery commodities, mostly from farmer-groups across Region 10, and directly link them with the market.

Exhibitors included the Miarayon Highland Farmer’s Association, Farm Grown Association of Claveria, Canitoan Farmer’s Association Multi-Purpose Cooperative, Agusan Barangay Food Terminal, and the National Dairy Authority-assisted Northern Mindanao Federation of Dairy Cooperatives.

Private companies such as True Chef’s Choice, Inc. and Bounty Fresh Chicken, including the local government of Claveria also took part.

As response to the COVID-19 crisis, the said initiative has opened marketing opportunities for the city dwellers and farmers alike.

“We can provide the consuming public healthier and nutritious food options at affordable prices, at the same time allow our farmers a fair return of their respective products,“ Carlota S. Madriaga, regional technical director of DA-10 said.

Faced with a public health threat, she added, that DA-10 has emphasized for everyone involved to follow community quarantine protocols.

“Through our agribiz personnel, both the sellers and buyers are reminded to observe physical distancing, proper hand sanitation, and wearing of masks while marketing,” Madriaga detailed.

Kadiwa, which stands for Katuwang sa Diwa at Gawa para sa Masaganang Ani at Mataas na Kita, is a marketing scheme used by DA which directs farmers to the consumers, removing trading layers; thereby reducing the cost of products.

“As we do not know when this [COVID-19 crisis] will be over, the agency will continue in rolling out our Kadiwa stores to benefit more urban families,” the director relayed.

On the third week of April, the Kadiwa On Wheels will head out to more areas: Macabalan and Cala-anan, Canitoan (April 13); Villa Candida, Bulua and RER Phase I, Kauswagan (April 14); Gusa (April 15); and Indahag and Macasandig (April 16). # (JLO)