THE Department of Agriculture (DA) in Western Visayas has recorded a total of P318 million accumulated value of agri-fishery products procured, sold and market matched through its "Kadiwa ni Ani at Kita" program and local government units (LGU)-initiated procurement aimed at boosting the livelihood of small farmers and fisherfolk amid the global crisis.
DA-Western Visayas Director Remelyn Recoter, in a statement, said the agency has given the necessary support to the farmers and fishers in the region through its resiliency programs in response to the pandemic.
The "Kadiwa ni Ani at Kita," for instance, has generated P25.9 million worth of total sales of agri-fishery products since its launching last March through Kadiwa outlets, Kadiwa On-Wheels and online modes.
The regional line agency's Agri- business and Marketing Assistance Division (Amad), on the other hand, directly linked P24.3 million worth of agri-fishery commodities from the different organized farmers organizations to supply the local markets and ensure food availability and accessibility at affordable and reasonable prices in the region.
"The DA-Western Visayas continues to implement the Kadiwa ni Ani at Kita operations in Panay and Negros Occidental in collaboration with the LGUs and other institutional partners in the region," Recoter said.
The agency reported that this week, it has generated P951,751 total sales, which is 10 percent lower than the previous week's about P1 million worth of deals.
The significant factor that contributed to the drop in sales was due to the limited movement of agricultural supplies because of lockdowns amid the increasing number of cases in the cities of Iloilo and Bacolod, it said.
Meanwhile, the LGUs also initiated agricultural commodities procurement to secure food availability during the community quarantine period and support the farming sector's livelihood.
"Through these initiatives of our LGUs, 385,352 farmers and fishers all over the region are able to benefit," Recoter added.
As of September 30, different LGUs in the region have purchased an estimated P267.8 million worth of assorted farm products.
They utilized these goods in their relief operations and food packs distribution to combat hunger and ensure food security in their respective areas. (EPN/With reports from DA-Western Visayas)