THE Department of Agriculture (DA) in Western Visayas said farmers in the region have initially raked in about P1.5 million in sales since the "Kadiwa" markets established in cities of Bacolod and Iloilo opened barely two weeks ago.
DA-Western Visayas recently rolled out its "Kadiwa ni Ani at Kita" marketing initiatives to provide income to farmers.
Also, to make fruits, vegetables and fishery products more available and accessible to the people despite the prevailing Enhanced Community Quarantine due to coronavirus disease (Covid-19).
The DA has partnered with the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) in Negros Occidental and RU Farmers Assistance Center (formerly Eco Agri Foundation) in organizing the "Negrense: Kadiwa ni Ani at Kita," which targets to provide marketing convenience to consumers through either walk-in purchase or through digital platforms.
From April 1 to 8, except Sunday, the farmers generated P612,199.78 from selling lowland and upland vegetables, spices, eggs, meat and poultry products to both walk-in and home delivery clients.
DA-Western Visayas Executive Director Remelyn Recoter, in a statement, commended the support of Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson to the "Kadiwa" market.
"We are happy to note that the consuming public in Bacolod City are patronizing the products and the governor said that this marketing scheme will go beyond the quarantine period," she added.
The Negrense: Kadiwa ni Ani at Kita is partnering with delivery/rider companies in Bacolod City including Grab, Tinderoo, Juan Ride, Maid in Bacolod, and Tapao.ph Delivery.
The highest sale so far was recorded on April 7, at P131,835.84.
In Iloilo City, meanwhile, the agency together with the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) and Iloilo City Government established the "Kadiwa on Wheels" on March 31.
Exhibitors including the Champion Farmers of Lambunao, Tubungan Bayanihan Tipon Center (BTC), Tigbauan Farmers Association (FA), San Miguel Local Food Terminal, Leon Bagsakan FA, Alimodian BTC, Western Visayas Mushroom Growers Association, BFAR Dried Fish Processor, and private companies Orchard Valley, Nutrifresh Chicken, Cal's Chicken and Eggs, JHJ Farm and Unifresh Chicken have been serving city consumers every Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
The "Kadiwa on Wheels" in Iloilo City has an initial earnings of P902,529.
Moreover, to enable unhampered movement of agricultural products within the region, the DA has been issuing Food Pass, Inter-Agency Task Force car pass and identification cards to suppliers and truckers.
DA Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division Chief Maria Teresa Solis, also in a statement, said the Iloilo Provincial Government had recently conducted the bidding of P6.7 million worth agricultural products which will be distributed as food packs to different towns in the province.
"This will be a big help to the local farmers. Agricultural products will be sourced out from the municipalities of Oton, Leon, and Tubungan," Solis added. (With reports from DA-Western Visayas)
