DA-CAR Facilitates the Marketing of Agri-products through KADIWA

Highland vegetables are the primary agricultural products of the Cordillera region, particularly in Benguet province. The region supplies about 80% of highland vegetables to the different parts of the country.

Harvested vegetables are usually traded in the major private and public trading centers such as the La Trinidad Vegetable Trading Post and the Benguet Agri-Pinoy Trading Center located in the municipality of La Trinidad, Benguet. On average, 1,800 MT are being traded daily in the trading centers.

To further assist the farmers in selling their agricultural and fishery products, the Department of Agriculture (DA) continuously implements the KADIWA Ni Ani at Kita Program. The program is a market system that aims to ensure that food commodities are made available, accessible, and affordable in high consumer demand areas such as Metro Manila and major market areas outside the region. This is the direct marketing of agri-products between farmers and consumers. It is implemented through the different modalities namely KADIWA Retailing, KADIWA on Wheels, and KADIWA Express.

The DA-CAR Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division (AMAD) recorded that since January this year, at least 158,290 kilograms of assorted agri-fishery products with a total monetary value of Php9, 778,741.00 were marketed through the KADIWA Program. These were participated in by different FCAs region-wide.

Traded products included potato, Chinese cabbage, cabbage, carrots, chayote, bell pepper, tomato, lettuce, cucumber, radish, lemon, sugar beets, dried fish, tilapia, milkfish, and processed products, among others.

DA-CAR AMAD is also facilitating market linkage activities between FCAs and institutional buyers, continuously conducting capacity enhancement for FCAs, and other business development services. Vehicles are also provided as logistics support for farmers with ready buyers who do not have the capacity or with limited resources in transporting their produce. This is available upon request of the concerned local government unit (LGU) and/or the FCA.

The DA then encourages the farmers to coordinate with their LGUs for possible assistance in marketing their agricultural products. Moreover, the LGUs as well as the young farmers are urged to look into the situations of their localities and coordinate with the DA-CAR for any possible assistance; keeping them engaged in the promotion of agricultural programs and activities in their respective communities.
For more information about the KADIWA Program or if you are interested; you may contact the DA-CAR AMAD through these KADIWA Hotlines – Telephone No: (074) 665-5675 or Mobile No: 0946-253-7326.//JBAgrifino

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