Beaming and satisfied farmers, fisherfolks and consumers of the happy island province Catanduanes were seen during the launching of the Katuwang sa Diwa at Gawa para sa Masaganang Ani at Mataas na Kita or Kadiwa on April 13, 2019.
Churchill Lacang, a farmer of San Andres Vegetable Growers Association said that this is the first time that her vegetables were bought with the right price by the Department of Agriculture-Bicol represented by the Agricultural Programs Coordinating Officer (APCO) Rafael Magallanes. For that she was able to save money from hauling and delivery expense because the truck from DA-Catanduanes Hilly Upland Development Station (DA-CHUDS) picked the produce and sold to the residents of Virac.
Magallanes shared that consumers were contented with the reasonable price of vegetables because there were no additional price from middlemen. And because they were able to save money, they were able to buy more goods from the Kadiwa store. Moreover, they were assured of the freshness of the product. He also cited that there is enough space in the area, the buyers were able to practice social distancing.
According to the DA-Bicol Regional Executive Director Rodel P. Tornilla, Kadiwa is a marketing scheme by the DA which links farmers to the consumers thereby eliminating the multiple market layers, and eventually reducing the cost of products. The consumer gains more savings and her capacity to buy more goods is increased.
Kadiwa is a project of Agriculture Secretary William D. Dar to keep food sufficient amid COVID-19 crisis. It is also a way to encourage the farmers to market their produce while at the same time, providing the consumers with affordable, safe and nutritious food. Moreover, this is also the present government’s take on the Marcos-era Kadiwa store system.
The Kadiwa project has been rolling in other parts of the region. This provincial launching was simultaneous with the launching in Albay and Camarines Norte.
Magallanes stressed that his team during the activity observed social distancing, proper hand sanitation and wearing of masks in compliance with the Enhanced Community Quarantine protocols.
The Kadiwa store is expected to roll continuously in other parts of Catanduanes with or without crisis. (jaysonmgonzales with photos from Raffy Magallanes)
