The NIA-M’lang/Malasila Rivers Irrigation System (MMRIS) personnel, headed by Engr. Milbrend Anne Alburo, acting chief of the Mlang/Malasila Rivers Irrigation System (far right), helped in the display and sale of agricultural commodities during the Kadiwa sa NIA held in front of the NIA-MMRIS compound in M’lang, Cotabato. The activity was part of the NIA’s support for the national government’s efforts to help farmers gain immediate income and give consumers access to affordable and healthy food. (Photo courtesy of NIA-M’lang/Malasila Rivers Irrigation System)
Ensuring the government’s mission of providing households with the capability to purchase fresh and safe agricultural products at a reasonable price, the Kadiwa ni Ani at Kita has gone the extra mile to fulfill its purpose.
Recently, the National Irrigation Administration’s (NIA) River Irrigation System in different parts of the Soccsksargen region started to hold ‘Kadiwa sa NIA’ to ensure that agricultural food commodities in their areas are benefited by the people, especially the poor.
Engr. Milbrend Anne Alburo, acting chief of the M’lang/Malasila Rivers Irrigation System, said that their office is one with the president’s agenda of providing Filipinos with the food they deserve.
“Our officials in NIA are committed to promoting the welfare of our irrigators associations as part of our mandate of uplifting the lives of our frontline food producers, the farmers,” she emphasized.
Kadiwa ni Ani at Kita is implemented by the Department of Agriculture (DA), directly linking its farmers and fishermen to the buying public through the help of local government units and the DA’s attached agencies.
But NIA, Alburo said, has taken the lead to help bridge not just consumers but also the farmers who are members of their irrigator associations, urging everyone to help themselves with foods that are organic and healthy.
NIA has then linked different farmers who are selling vegetables, poultry products, spices, fruits, processed products like fish paste, and other basic commodities with the consumers in M’lang, Cotabato, through the NIA-M’lang/Malasila River Irrigation System.
Mary Ann Esparagoza, a member of an irrigators’ association in M’lang, Cotabato, kept herself busy tending her display of various organically grown farm produce during the recently-held Kadiwa sa NIA in M’lang, Cotabato province. Esparagoza was happy to sell her vegetables to the public, knowing that the commodities were safe, fresh, and healthy. (Photo courtesy of NIA-M’lang/Malasila Rivers Irrigation System)
Mary Ann Esparagoza, a member of an irrigators association who participated in the activity, emphasized the importance of the Kadiwa sa NIA in the lives of her fellow farmers.
“Nakatabang gid ang Kadiwa sa amon kung sa diin mapagawas namon ang amon mga produkto fresh from the farm. Makabulig gid ang Kadiwa kay ang amon nga produkto sariwa pa gid siya. Makabenepisyo gid ang mga tao kay barato pa gid siya [Through the Kadiwa, we can easily sell our produce fresh from the farm. The project is not only helpful to us given that we can have a direct market for our products but is also beneficial to consumers, for they can buy fresh and affordable agricultural goods],” she said.
Esparagoza added that their products contain zero chemicals, which are beneficial for the health of the buyers.
Community folk swarmed the MMRIS-led Kadiwa sa NIA in M’lang, Cotabato province. The Kadiwa sa NIA, which will be held once a month, aims to boost farmers’ income while also ensuring that consumers will be able to help themselves with different kinds of fresh foods direct from the farms of members of the NIA-Mlang/Malasila Rivers Irrigation System. (Photo courtesy of the NIA-Mlang/Malasila Rivers Irrigation System)
Meanwhile, Angga Valencia, housewife and a resident of Barangay Buayan, also in M’lang, expressed appreciation for the Kadiwa sa NIA, which she described as helping financially challenged families put food on the table.
“Gapasalamat gid kami nga mga pumuluyo diri sa barangay kay may Kadiwa nga makabulig gid para sa pagkaon sang katawhan [I am thankful that the government has this Kadiwa because it helps us obtain food directly from the harvest of farmers],” she told the Philippine Information Agency, adding that the project is a blessing for those who strive hard for their family’s meals.
“Baba gid ang ila nga presyo kag makabakal gid sang presko ang mga kapos nga pamilya kay wala ini chemicals [Aside from the good thing that the agricultural products are affordable, we can serve our family with a nutritious meal knowing that the vegetables are freshly picked and are grown organically],” said Valencia.
With the hike in commodity prices, the Kadiwa sa NIA is a suitable alternative to guarantee immediate income for farmers and affordable and fresh farm produce for consumers.
Alburo said that it supports both the farmers and the consumers. Hence, they will continue to link farmers with consumers in the area through the ‘Kadiwa sa NIA’ once a month.
It is a win-win solution for farmers’ problems in selling their products and consumers’ source of fresh and affordable food for the table, she explained.
The setting up of Kadiwa stores through NIA’s efforts is in line with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s commitment to improve supply chain efficiency and make food affordable, particularly in rural areas. (SJDM – PIA Cotabato Province)
