Caraga AMAD Chief Lynn A. Parenas (rightmost), Supervising Agriculturist Isabelita L. Ocampo, and DA – Caraga Regional Executive Director Abel James I. Monteagudo (leftmost) present a token to Sec. William D. D

Leaving no stones unturned in its pursuit for development of the farmers, fisherfolk, and Agri-entrepreneurs in the region, the Department of Agriculture(DA) – Caraga through the Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division (AMAD) is tapping various portals to showcase the region’s agriculture and fishery products. 

During DA Secretary William D. Dar’s visit in Caraga on October 22 & 23, DA – Caraga Regional Executive Director Abel James I. Monteagudo and AMAD Chief Lynn A. Pareñas presented the various initiatives of DA-Caraga to assist the farmers, fishers, and local Agri processors to market their products.

One such marketing initiative was the One-Stop Agribusiness Center (OSAC) which was launched early this year. It is an agribusiness hub and a showroom for Caraga’s agricultural and fishery products. Located at the DA-Caraga grounds, OSAC serves as an avenue for farmers and agri-processors to promote and sell their products, as well as to connect and negotiate with suppliers and buyers. Sec. Dar led the unveiling of the OSAC marker.

On the other hand, the Kadiwa ni Ani at Kita mobile market which has been done regularly since the COVID 19 pandemic hit the country. Kadiwa is a marketing strategy that connects the farmers and Agri-processors direct to the consumers. Through the Kadiwa, 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 community.

In addition to the two aforementioned initiatives, DA-Caraga has also tapped the online portal to market Agri-fishery commodities.

DA-Caraga’s AMAD partnered with the private organization Sprout Lab IT Services for the creation of the Agrikultura Kadiwa Online, an e-commerce platform for fresh agricultural produce. It aims to provide farmers, fisherfolk, and local processors with direct market linkage among institutional buyers, manufacturers, and individual customers through an online platform. On the other hand, it provides consumers easy access to affordable agricultural products delivered directly to their households. Further, it aims to minimize foot traffic in public markets to help contain the spread of the Coronavirus disease.

Sec. Dar was on a two-day visit in the region to grace the culmination of the National Rice Techno Forum as well as to meet up with agriculture stakeholders of the region.

“I move around the country to inspire and bring hope to the frontliners of the agriculture industry despite the pandemic and to make the presence of the government be felt,” Dar said.