By Brian Jules Campued
A total of 163,189 kilograms or over 160 tons of highland vegetables has been sold and will be sold this month through Kadiwa’s Veggie Connect, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said Wednesday.
“The move will provide a much-needed financial boost to close to 100 farmers, preventing potential food wastage and providing consumers access to cheaper food,” Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel, Jr. said in a statement.
Regional Executive Director-Cordillera Administrative Region officer-in-charge Jennilyn Dawayan reported that the DA have assisted some 93 farmers from Mt. Province, Benguet, and Ifugao through selling their vegetables in Kadiwa stores until Jan. 26.
“Kadiwa Veggie Connect started as a collaboration with the Cordillera Association of Regional Executives to help DA monitor vegetable supply and amount of unsold vegetables, particularly cabbages and Chinese cabbage whose prices have fallen due to a supply glut,” Dawayan explained.
About 11 tons of unsold vegetables from various trading posts were then initially procured by the national government offices in Baguio City and neighboring areas on Jan. 5 and 6.
By Jan. 8 till 14, farmers have already sold 44 tons, followed by a total of 105.6 tons a week later at prices between P10 to P15 per kilogram.
“Some vegetable farmers in the Cordilleras usually opt to dump older inventory to prevent prices of vegetables from falling further when new harvests— those preferred by traders—arrive at trading posts,” she added.
Sec. Laurel said part of his eight-point plan to modernize agriculture is to improve and expand market access for farmers and fisherfolk, making these sectors bankable.
“By helping them bring their products directly to market, we’re not only helping agriculture workers and entrepreneurs but providing consumers access to lower-priced food products,” said Laurel.
He likewise hoped to replicate the program in other parts of the country and in other agricultural products including poultry, livestock, fish, and high value crops. – avds