The “Kadiwa ni Ani at Kita” direct marketing program of the Department of Agriculture is garnering popular support from various local government units, barangays and homeowners’ associations in Metro Manila and major urban centers, both benefiting thousands of farmers and consumers.

“We are delighted to report that key players in the food value chain, from farmers on the supply side and consumers on the demand, are reaping the benefits of our Kadiwa ni Ani at Kita,” said Agriculture Secretary William D. Dar, during a virtual media conference, on April 13, at the DA Central Office in Quezon City.

“For instance, the Benguet Agri-Pinoy Trading Center reported a total of 5,568 farmers who directly benefited from the Kadiwa orders. They are farmers-producers who sell their produce for trading to Metro Manila and other areas,” Secretary Dar said.

Initially, Kadiwa activities have engaged about 12,000 farmers, market porters, packagers, and truckers, among other workers in the food value chain.

“We are happy that our Kadiwa program serves a double-edged purpose of reaching out to farmer-producers and other community workers, while providing access to fresh and affordable food to consumers,” the DA chief said.

Despite challenges in the initial implementation of the Kadiwa program, he added that the DA’s effort through its Agribusiness Marketing and Assistance Service (AMAS) is starting to pay off as more people in Metro Manila and other urban areas now have access to fresh and affordable food products.

“We are happy that our local chief executives and private sector are heeding our call and taking advantage of reasonably-priced agri-fishery products sold in Kadiwa outlets.

Not only that they are providing affordable and nutritious food to their constituents, but also keeping our farmer and fisherfolk afloat in this time of crisis,” he said.

At present, Kadiwa is available in three variants — Kadiwa on Wheels, Kadiwa Retail, and Kadiwa Online — which are tailor-fit depending on the customers’ requirements, said DA assistant secretary for agribusiness and marketing Kristine Evangelista.

Serving as its logistics and transport system is the Kadiwa Express that facilitates the efficient movement of agri-fishery and food products.

With the launch of the Kadiwa multi-platform system, secretary Dar said that the DA expects more LGUs and entities participating in the enhanced Kadiwa ni Ani at Kita program.

In pursuit of the Kadiwa program, the DA-AMAS has engaged 80 barangays and cities in the National Capital Region, including homeowners’ associations in Caloocan, Manila, Pasig, Navotas, Taguig, Pasay, Mandaluyong, Pateros, and Cainta, Rizal.

From hereon, he said the Kadiwa outlets will cater to the poorest sector of the society where government assistance is urgently needed.

“Let’s exert strong efforts to prioritize our marginalized citizens who have limited access to food, much less afford it. No one should be left behind in our war against hunger and Covid-19 pandemic,” concluded secretary Dar. ### (Myriam Layaoen, DA Communications Group)