THE farmers in Davao City earned about P8.1 million through the Kadiwa on Wheels of the Department of Agriculture in Davao Region (DA-Davao) from April 3 to May 4, 2020.
In a statement, DA-Davao market specialist Judy Pregon said about 27 farmers and fisherfolk’s associations and cooperatives are actively participating in the Kadiwa on Wheels led by the Davao Region Agricultural Coop (Draco) and Vegetable Industry Council of Southern Mindanao (VICSMIN).
Among the cooperatives and partner organizations who sold their produce in the rolling mobile store are the Babali Farmers Association, Cadalian Cacao Coffee Farmers Association, Rural Improvement Club of Calinan, United Farmers Association of Tamayong, Davao Durian Industry Association Council (DIADC), Rice Processing Complex (RPC) Matanao, Biao Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Cooperative (BARBCO), Pag-asa Bankerohan Fish Vendors Association, MPQ Fresh Chicken Dealer, Bounty Fresh, Donnabella Poultry Supplies Trading, Luchay Agri Traders, RJS, Marisa Limboy Shrimp Dealer, Andan-Fuentes, Dried Fish Dealer, Fortune Bearers Corporation, Macatabo Vegetable Farmers Association and Anderlude Seafoods Corp.
“As more farmer and fisherfolk’s associations signified their interest to join our mobile Kadiwa, we have expanded its operations to three simultaneous locations with a longer time, from four hours to seven hours per day,” she said.
She added that they were able to reach more barangays, serving two areas in a day.
DA-Davao information officer Noel Provido said they have so far reached about 30 barangays.
“While mag transition sa GCQ (general community quarantine), padayon gihapon,” he said.
Kadiwa functions as a mobile rolling store outlet that helps farmers and fisherfolk market their produce directly to consumers during the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) due to the threat of coronavirus.
“The Kadiwa on Wheels is a modification of the regular Kadiwa in Ani at Kita that aims to strengthen the marketing and distribution amid the need to comply with the ECQ guidelines,” said DA-Davao agribusiness chief Janet Dobli.
Meanwhile, the Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (DCCCII) is also delivering about 1,000 to 2,000 kilos a day of farmers’ produce in its Bankerohan on Wheels: DCCCII Tulong-Bayan Program.
Launched around late April, the Bankerohan on Wheels: DCCCII Tulong-Bayan Program is said to be a mobile market that delivers fresh and affordable fish, fruits, vegetables, and other basic food supplies to people.
DCCCII vice president for industry Cherrylin Casuga said the program is initiated primarily for public convenience as well as for observing social distancing as the Enhanced Community Quarantine is still not lifted.
“Through this project, consumers can buy their groceries, vegetables, fish, and meat items within their barangays without going to public and supermarkets to lessen their risks of infection from the Covid-19 coronavirus. In this way, we can enhance the effectiveness of the ECQ,” she said.