The Department of Agriculture (DA) is fine-tuning its “Kadiwa ni Ani at Kita,” a flagship agri-fishery marketing program, to serve more consumers in urban areas and improve market linkages between them and farmer-producers amid the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in Luzon.
Agriculture Secretary William Dar said the DA, under its Kadiwa ni Ani at Kita program, will launch a multi-platform system to include “Kadiwa Express” and “Kadiwa Online.”
“Admittedly, during the initial implementation of the ECQ, there have been hurdles and challenges in the movement of agri-fishery products,” Dar said.
“We are making some adjustments in our Kadiwa program, using simple and technological solutions.”
“So, we are making some adjustments in our Kadiwa program, using simple and technological solutions, to ensure continuous and unhampered supply of fresh produce to consumers, particularly those in metropolitan areas,” the agriculture chief added.
Under the Kadiwa Express, the DA-Kadiwa program will tap the private sector and local government units in the transport and distribution of fresh produce from Agri-Pinoy Centers to designated drop-off points in Metro Manila.
Farmers may sell their produce to cooperatives, associations and trading centers in Nueva Vizcaya, Nueva Ecija, Benguet and Quezon Province. From there, DA Kadiwa Express personnel will facilitate the transport of products to offloading points, where LGUs can collect their orders.
The agriculture head also encouraged local chief executives to take advantage of the Kadiwa Online, an online order placement system that provides direct link to potential suppliers.
Interested LGUs can place their orders at https://homegrownorganics.myshopify.com/collections/kadiwa-ni-ani-at-kita-express.
“We are hoping that our local chief executives will take full advantage of these Kadiwa platforms, which is much needed especially in this time of crisis,” he said.
Kadiwa is a collaborative marketing project of the DA and Food Terminal Inc. (FTI) aimed at selling major agricultural goods at reasonable prices to help poor households.
“Through Kadiwa, even during this crisis, we can be sure that farmers get the best prices for their goods.”
The project establishes a direct link between producers — farmers and fisherfolk — and consumers.
“Through Kadiwa, even during this crisis, we can be sure that farmers get the best prices for their goods, while providing adequate, access affordable, safe, and nutritious food to the consumers,” Dar said.
DA Assistant Secretary for Agribusiness Kristine Evangelista earlier said that they will be prioritizing the rollout of Kadiwa stores in Metro Manila and other densely populated areas in Luzon.
“Besides the Kadiwa on Wheels, which has been very successful in its pilot run, we are hoping to open at least 66 more Kadiwa sites nationwide,” Evangelista added.
At present, the local governments of Pateros, Makati, Las Piñas, Taguig, Pasay, Pasig, Manila, Caloocan, and Quezon City have either participated in or have expressed their interest to adopt the DA’s Kadiwa ni Ani at Kita program, the agriculture official said.