Amid the financial uncertainties of the current times, a ray of hope shines for the farming community and consumers in Siquijor province.
Local farmers can now sell their farm produce directly to local consumers through the KADIWA sa NIA (National Irrigation Administration) which was launched early this month.
The KADIWA sa NIA program is a market strategy where agricultural goods are sold at reasonably low prices to help poor Filipino households.
Through the KADIWA, consumers can also directly avail of quality produce from local farmers.
The program is aligned with President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.’s agenda to make food accessible and affordable for all Filipinos.
Boost farm outputs
Rosalinda Vidad, a member of the Federation of Siquijor Irrigators Inc. (FSII), shared how the NIA has significantly helped them boost their farm outputs.
“Dako kaayo’g tabang kay hatagan me nila ug mga pareha aning sa pickles, sila moy gatudlo namo sa NIA ani. Gitudloanpud me nilag para garden, mag provide pud sila’g mga abono ug seedlings (It is a big help because they taught us how to grow vegetables such as pickles. They also provided us with fertilizers and seedlings),” said Vidad.
Set up strategically across Siquijor Capital Square, a busy area in the capital town, the KADIWA offers fresh vegetables, fruits, root crops, spices, pork and fish meat, rice, among others.
Benjamin Cañete, FSII vice president, hopes that the government will continue supporting them so they can bring agricultural products at lower prices in the market.
“Manghinaut ko nga ang suporta sa mga kadagkoan sa gobyerno magpadayon aron ang among KADIWA magpadayon pud. Mao ni sinugdanan sa amoang mga farmers na ma ubos-ubos ang presyo (I hope the government will continue the KADIWA program. This paves the way for us to start lowering our prices),” said Cañete.
Fresh produce at low prices
In his message during the launch, Acting Irrigation Management Manager Engr. Maritez I. Soria of the NIA Bohol-Cebu-Siquijor office said the KADIWA aims to provide a venue where irrigators’ associations can sell their products at affordable prices.
“KADIWA sa NIA provides irrigators association (a place) to distribute (their goods). Makita ninyo ilahang mgaprodukto, mga presko kini at a very affordable price. (You can access their products that are not only fresh but also affordable),” said Soria.
“Pinaagi niini (Through this), we offer our fellow citizens the chance to save while enjoying quality products from our farmers,” he added.
The program is a joint effort among NIA, Department of Agriculture, the Provincial Government of Siquijor, and local government units in partnership with the FSII.
In the same event, Siquijor Cong. Zaldy Villa emphasized the need to revive the program to achieve economic development.
“Ato ning (Let us) i-revive to reduce the price of our commodities, to reduce the inflation rate in the Philippines),” Villasaid.
Celia Maglinte, one of the customers who bought vegetables from KADIWA during its launch, is thankful that she can now access quality farm goods at affordable prices.
“Mga barato ra pud ring amoang napalit. Salamat kaayo sa KADIWA sa NIA kasi barato ra ang mga tinda diri. Salamat kaayo nga naay NIA diri sa Siquijor nga niabot diri ang KADIWA sa NIA (What I bought were all affordable. Thank you to KADIWA sa NIA for selling goods at low prices. It’s good that NIA brought KADIWA to Siquijor),” said Maglinte.
Siquijor Provincial Agriculturist Emigdio Coritico said the KADIWA provides a space that links farmers directly to consumers.
“The KADIWA sa NIA was instrumental in revolutionizing the way we approach agriculture and food distribution by eliminating unnecessary intermediaries and establishing direct link between farmers and consumers. We have successfully created a more sustainable and affordable system for everyone involved,” said Coritico.
Siquijor Mayor Richard Quezon of Siquijor lauded NIA and its partners for their efforts while emphasizing the program’s big impact on the lives of farmers and consumers.
“Makita nato karon nga nindot gyud diay unta ug dritso ng ngadto sa mga katawhan kay ang presyo ma ayo-ayo (We are now witness to the benefits of the direct access between farmers and consumers as the prices of farm products are lower),” said Quezon. (NRO/PIA7 Siquijor)
