BUTUAN CITY -- To strengthen the agricultural capabilities of the region's commodity suppliers, the Department of Agriculture  (DA) Caraga disbursed a total of P7.665 million in financial grants to qualified beneficiaries through the Enhanced Kadiwa Ni Ani At Kita program.

DA Caraga regional executive director,  Ricardo M. Oñate Jr. said that the distribution of financial grants aims to empower local stakeholders and promote sustainable agri-fishery practices in the region.  

Oñate led the distribution of the financial grants to the local government unit of Nasipit in Agusan del Norte and was received by Mayor Roscoe Plaza along with the municipal agriculturist Lydia Apatan and Raymond Amora amounting to P5 million.

“We are grateful for the financial support from the government through the DA, we will allocate the funds for the construction of our Kadiwa Center that will expand the access to quality, safe, and affordable agri-fishery products for Nasipit residents,” Mayor Plaza said.

Also, the De OrO Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Cooperative (DARBECO), chaired by Evangeline A. Magtibay, also received a financial grant amounting to P1.165 million.

“The funds will be utilized to procure a delivery vehicle that will aid in the efficient transport of our  agricultural products to the city and nearby towns,” Magtibay said.

LIBAS Farmers Multi-Purpose Cooperative served as another recipient of the grant at P1.5 million.

Coop chairperson Marites Japona said, “The cooperative will also procure a delivery vehicle and allocate working capital for rice and assorted agri-products.”

Onate emphasized that the financial grants distributed under the E-kadiwa ni Ani at Kita program is DA’s commitment to fostering a direct marketing scheme that benefits both farmers, fisherfolk and consumers.

“The initiative is to create a more resilient and sustainable agri-fishery sector within the Caraga region,” Onate added. (NCLM, PIA-Caraga with report from DA-Caraga)