GUARANTEED MARKET. Judith Sagbigsal (right) of the Kilometer 7 Farmers Producers Cooperative (K7FPC) supervises the selling of vegetables and other agricultural products at the Kadiwa Market facilitated by the Department of Agriculture-13 at Robinson’s Place in Butuan City on Saturday, Nov. 14, 2020. The K7FPC and eight other farmers’ groups lauded the Kadiwa program for providing the farmers with a reliable market for their products to stay profitable amid the coronavirus pandemic. (PNA photo by Alexander Lopez)
BUTUAN CITY – A cooperative owned by 404 farmers here has recognized the role of the “Kadiwa ni Ani at Kita” (Kadiwa) program by the Department of Agriculture in Caraga Region (DA-13).
“The Kadiwa program is a sure market for us, especially during this time of the pandemic,” Judith Sagbigsal, the rice trading in-charge of the Km. 7 Farmers Producers Cooperative (K7FPC), told the Philippine News Agency Saturday.
Sagbigsal said the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) crisis and the ensuing movement restrictions to contain the virus have dealt a major blow on the farmers.
The Kadiwa program, he said, gave them a lease on life, with almost all farmers' cooperatives and livelihood organizations in the region now relying on the initiative to sell their products and turn in profits.
The K7FPC is among the nine farmers’ groups and agriculture product outlets that joined the three-day open display and direct selling of locally sourced products through the Kadiwa program of DA-13 at Robinson’s Place.
The marketing event opened on Nov. 13 and will run until Nov. 15.
“For this Kadiwa event, we are selling vegetables that we bought from our members. We are glad that residents of Butuan usually buy local products through the Kadiwa program of the DA,” Sagbisal said.
During the opening day on Friday, the K7FPC managed to sell PHP4,800 worth of vegetables, fruits, and bananas, she added.
“We are hoping for big sales today (Saturday) until Sunday. People in Butuan and nearby towns are already aware that a Kadiwa sale is happening here at Robinson’s,” Sagbisal said.
Beginning June up to the present, he said Kadiwa has given them a powerful marketing platform, enabling them to offset the losses incurred during the early months of the coronavirus disease pandemic.
“Our members are assured of income despite the problem we are facing. We buy the vegetables, fruits, and palay of our members and sell these through the Kadiwa centers,” Sagbisal said.
During the Kadiwa market in barangays Pinamangkulan and Maon last week, she said K7FPC managed to sell PHP7,000 worth of vegetables and other agricultural products.
“The government, especially the agriculture department, is extending its programs and services to the farmers especially during this time of the pandemic. We are very thankful for this support,” Sagbisal said.
The opening of the Kadiwa at Robinson’s on Friday was led by DA-13 regional executive director Abel James Monteagudo.
"In this time of the pandemic, the maximum effort that we can contribute to our affected farmers and fishers is to support what they offer. Because through this, we can deliver what is mandated to us, to produce food for the country, and to uplift the lives of our farmers...our heroes in these times," Monteagudo said. (PNA)
