Over 160 tons of highland vegetables will be sold this January through Kadiwa’s Veggie Connect and other market linkage programs of the Department of Agriculture.
The sale, according to Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel, Jr., will provide much-needed financial boost to almost 100 farmers, prevent potential food wastage and provide consumers access to cheaper food.
“A total 163,189 kilograms [of vegetables] were sold and will be sold until January 26, 2024, assisting 93 farmers from the Mountain Province, Benguet and Ifugao,” said Jennilyn Dawayan, officer-in-charge at the office of the Regional Executive Director-Cordillena Administrative Region.
“We will continue to provide Kadiwa services to farmers as may be needed,” Dawayan added.
She said the Kadiwa Veggie Connect program started as a collaboration with the Cordillera Association of Regional Executives to help the DA monitor vegetable supply and volume of unsold vegetables, particularly cabbages whose price has fallen due to a supply glut.
She said unsold vegetables from various trading posts totaling 11 tons were initially procured by national government offices in Baguio City and neighboring areas between 5 and 6 January. Subsequently, farmers sold 44 tons and another 105.6 tons a week later at prices ranging from P10 to P15 per kilo.
Some vegetable farmers in the Cordilleras normally dump old inventory to prevent the price of vegetables from falling when fresh harvests— those preferred by traders—arrive at trading posts.
Secretary Laurel wants to widen market access for farmers and fisherfolk as part of the 8-point plan to modernize agriculture, increase food production, lower food cost, ensure food security, and make farming and fishery a bankable investment alternative.
“It’s our goal to make agriculture a profitable venture for millions of farmers, fishermen and others in the value chain. 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 Secretary Laurel.
“We hope to replicate this program in other parts of the country and in other agricultural products, including poultry, livestock, fish and high value crops,” he added.
