AS IT recognizes the new wave of marketing strategies emerging to be beneficial amid the economic crisis brought about by coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic, the Department of Agriculture (DA) in Western Visayas continues its bid for food sufficiency in the region.
Also, it has been working on linking farmer-producers to consumers and markets, the agency said.
DA-Western Visayas Agri-business and Marketing Assistance Division (Amad) chief Maria Theresa Solis, who spoke at Municipal Agriculture Officers meeting held in Aklan recently, said the focus should not be on the production alone.
Solis said the farmers should be assisted in marketing and strategic planning. They should know where to sell their products.
"Farmers should identify agri-fishery processors, traders and institutional buyers in their area and know their demands," she said, adding that "then, they should be organized in order to set a schedule of planting, what commodity to plant and the volume of needed production."
In this way, they could be ready for market links, the official stressed.
She also emphasized that DA-Western Visayas is constantly helping farmers to improve their income.
Through one, providing them with necessary information on production, programming and marketing.
"The local government units (LGUs) would then play a critical role in marketing agri-products," Solis added.
DA-Western Visayas, along with LGUs, food producers and civil society organizations, have found responsive measures to sustain and ensure the continuity of food supply in the communities and mitigate market disruptions caused by the pandemic.
The Bagsakan Centers, Koica-funded Bayanihan Tipon Centers, Barangay Food Terminals and Municipal Food Terminals funded by the DA are among the identified channels introduced to the farmers as consolidation areas.
Solis also cited that the DA-Amad services like the "Kadiwa ni Ani at Kita" has gone far in the new normal aspect of marketing strategies.
Aside from online selling, the "Kadiwa on Wheels" and "Kadiwa" outlets made a significant leap with regards to the income of farmers in the region, she added. (EPN)