Showcasing public service at its best, the Department of Agriculture (DA) – Caraga’s Kadiwa ni Ani at Kita on Wheels Program benefits both the consuming public and the farmers, fishers, and other Agri product suppliers.
Through the Kadiwa mobile market, the consumers are given an opportunity to buy fresh fruits and vegetables, fish and other fishery products, fresh and frozen meat and poultry products, as well as some dry goods, right at the premises of their barangay
On the other hand, farmers, fishers, and other goods suppliers are ensured of a market for their products and continue to earn an income despite the implementation of the community quarantine in the city which limited the mobility of the people and businesses.
The Kadiwa on Wheels started rolling out earlier this month to chosen barangays in the city that does not have easy access to the markets.
The DA in coordination with the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Department Of Trade and Industry, and the City Government of Butuan, facilitates the conduct of the activity. Farmers Associations, cooperatives, individual farmers, distributors, or retailers of fresh and frozen and meat products, as well as the small and medium enterprise has been participating in the Kadiwa.
As of April 30, Kadiwa on Wheels has rolled out eight times already serving 13 barangays in Butuan City and has generated an accumulated sales of ₱694,406.14.
Larry Abuzo, Chairperson of Brgy. Agusan Pequeño, one of the communities visited by the Kadiwa on Wheels they really appreciate this program of the government. “Residents of our Barangay don’t need to go to the market or grocery store anymore since their needs were already brought here,” he said.
On the other hand, Nida De Castro Chen, a resident of Brgy. Pangabugan said that she is delighted with her Kadiwa on Wheels experience. “I was able to buy some fish at a low price. This is a very good program because now we don’t have to go far to buy our basic needs, so there is less risk of being exposed to COVID19,” Chen said.
In addition to the Kadiwa on Wheels, the DA-Caraga’s Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division (AMAD) also conducts the Kadiwa Direct Selling at the DA Regional Office every 15th and 30th day of the month.
The Kadiwa on Wheels is one of the initiatives of the Department to help control the spread of the Coronavirus disease. (Vanessa P. Sanchez/DA13-RAFIS)