KADIWA MARKETS. Department of Agriculture-Western Visayas Regional Executive Director Remelyn R. Recoter (right) and ILECO II General Manager Jose Redmond Eric S. Roquios (left) sign the Memorandum Agreement (MOA) for the establishment of the Kadiwa ni Ani at Kita at three ILECO II area offices on Jan. 29, 2021. Recoter said that the market will start to operate on Wednesday (Feb.3, 2021). (Photo by DA-RAFIS 6)
ILOILO CITY – The “Kadiwa ni Ani at Kita (Kadiwa)” initiative of the Department of Agriculture has already generated a cumulative income of PHP62. 8 million in Western Visayas since the start of the health pandemic.
“Kadiwa is one of the responses (to the health pandemic) and this project will continue,” said Agriculture Western Visayas Regional Executive Director Remelyn R. Recoter in a phone interview on Tuesday.
Kadiwa has three types which are on wheels, outlets, and online.
Kadiwa outlets are based in Bayanihan Tipon Centers (BTC), Kadiwa Negrense in Bacolod while the Kadiwa on Wheels are based in Iloilo City.
There are also outlets in Roxaz City, Capiz; San Jose, Antique and Kalibo, Aklan.
She added that it has been a big help to farmers because it eliminates intervention by middlemen. The exchange of products happens directly between producers and consumers.
Starting Wednesday, Kadiwa will be serving all area offices of the Iloilo II Electric Cooperative (ILECO II) in municipalities of Pototan, Janiuay, and Calinog.
“We signed a Memorandum of Agreement with ILECO in Pototan, and tomorrow they will launch their Kadiwa there and other payment centers,” Recoter said.
General Manager Jose Redmond Eric S. Roquios signed the MOA for the ILECO II.
Recoter said that DA’s Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division (AMAD) will be getting in touch with their supported farmers' associations, cooperatives, and exhibitors who will be selling chemical-free vegetables and fruits, processed foods, rice varieties, and other farm products.
The Kadiwa market will open two days before the due date of the payment of ILECO II consumers' electric bills.
With the strategy, ILECO clients can already buy their household consumption from the Kadiwa display and no longer go to the market, the regional director said.
Recoter said to date, Kadiwa has already 11 sites all over the region. It has generated the participation of about 3, 528 households, 54 farmers associations as well as individual farmers and private companies.
“It is beneficial to the producer because they receive cash and to consumers because it is cheaper when compared with those sold in the market,” she added. (PNA)
