CASURECO II starts Kadiwa ni Ani at Kita on Wheels
NAGA CITY– The consumers of the Camarines Sur II Electric Coop Inc. (CASURECO II) can now buy fresh agricultural produce from Kadiwa ni Ani at Kita on Wheels as the the electric coop and the Department of Agriculture through its Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division at the national level agreed to mobilize Kadiwa on Wheels on pre-agreed schedules to reduce risk and maximize time of both suppliers and buyers.
In a memorandum issued by Edgardo R. Masongsong, Administrator of the National Electrification Administration to all electric cooperatives nationwide, he expressed the agency’s
full support and calls for the active participation of the electric coops.
Kadiwa ni Ani at Kita which stands for “Katuwang sa Diwa at Gawa para sa Masaganang Ani at Mataas na Kita” is DA’s market development program implemented by the Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division (AMAD) in the regions to ensure that food commodities are made available and accessible for the Filipino people. Kadiwa ni Ani at Kita has also been helping the farmers and fisherfolk sell their produce amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
In the Bicol region a number of farmers’ coops, and individual agri-entrepreneurs in Camarines Surnamely Pecuaria Development Coop; J. Emmanuel Pastries; Sto. Nino Pili Vegetable Growers Association; Rural Improvement Club (RIC) of Sagrada; and Sabang Fisherfolk’s Association brought their products to the Multipurpose Hall of CASURECO II in Del Rosario, Naga City on August 14, 2020.
Various agricultural products were initially put on sale at affordable prices such as vegetables, fruits, fish, rice, sugar, cooking oil, herbal plants, organic rice, cacao tablea, honey, and pili nuts.
Adelina A. Losa, Chief of the Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division (AMAD) said that this is the start of parnertship with CASURECO II through Kadiwa on Wheels and the consumers can expect for more products in the coming days.
CASURECO II officials present were Maria Theresa Reforsado, HRD Supervisor; Emmanuel M. Rojo OIC-ISD/North Manager; and Emelita E. Candia, OIC-General Manager. The DA 5 AMAD was represented by Nancy Salvino and Alden Ragay.
Sustained and Expanded Operation of Kadiwa ni Ani at Kita
Even after the lifting of ECQ in various areas, DA’s Kadiwa outlets have been sustained and have expanded its reach in the six provinces of Bicol.
The Agri Planters and Farmer Producers Association of Tigaon (TAPFPAT) in Cam. Sur also started with their Kadiwa on Wheels. They offer organic products.
There are 24 Kadiwa posts/outlets currently operating regionwide.
The Kadiwa retail outlets are located at DA regional office in Pili; at the Regional Dairy Production and Technology Center in Cabid-an, Sorsogon City (RDPTC); Albay Research and Development Center (ARDC) in Tabaco City; Cam. Norte Lowland Rainfed Research Station (CNLRRS) in Calasgasan, Daet, Cam. Norte; Masbate Center for Livestock Development (MCLD) in Asid, Masbate City; BFAR; LGU San Fernando, Masbate; LGU Caramoan; Queenscup coop in Cataingan, Masbate; and Agri-preneur Farmers and Producers Association –Libmanan, Cam. Sur (AFPA).
A number of Municipal and Barangay Food Terminals (MFT/BFT) are also operating as Kadiwa posts. These are MFT Daet, Cam. Norte; MFT Casiguran, Sorsogon (CAFADECO); MFT Tigaon, Cam. Sur; BFT Rizal, Sta. Elena, Cam. Norte; BFT Caroyroyan Pili, Cam. Sur (MANSERRCA); and BFT Quipia Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Coop in Jovellar, Albay.
Meanwhile, the Kadiwa on Wheels are being operated by the DA AMAD; CNLRRS; Catanduanes Hilly Upland Development Station (CHUDS) in Virac; Camarines Sur Multi-purpose Cooperative (CMPC); LGU Daet, Cam. Norte; AFPA Libmanan; TAPFPAT in Tigaon; LGU San Fernando, Masbate; Bakyad Rice and Vegetable Growers Association of Labo, Cam. Norte; LGU Ligao, Albay; LGU Bula, Cam. Sur; and BFAR regional office.
As of this writing, all the kadiwa ni Ani at Kita centers and on wheels garnered a total sales of P63.6M which included sales of 1,517 MT of locally produced rice, 8.98 MT fresh and dried fish, 213 MT assorted vegetables, 5 MT pork, 1.9MT dressed chicken, 1,796 trays eggs, 3,398 fresh milk, 342 kilos sugar. (Lovella P. GuarinDA RAFIS 5 / photos by AMAD 5)