DUE TO ‘LACK’ OF DIRECT BUYERS IAs SEEK REFUGE IN KADIWA

April 13, 2024 Provincial

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet

Several Benguet Irrigators Associations (IA) opted to sell their farm produce in Kadiwa, a government marketing program, to address the lack of direct buyers. It was learned during the recently concluded 33rd General Assembly of Benguet Farmers Federation Irrigators Association (BFFIA) held at the National Irrigation Administration-Cordillera (NIA-CAR) grounds. In an interview, Leonardo Liwan Antonio, BFFIA Board of Director (BOD), representing Bakun, also an IA said their group struggle selling their crops due to lack of direct buyers, and they turned to Kadiwa to assist them in marketing their produce.

“Malaki ang tulong ng Kadiwa sa mga IAs na mapromote ang mga product namin at mailapit sa mga buyers”, says the Antonio. One marketing strategy of Kadiwa is opening a pop-up store in a near location with different neighboring agencies, who serves as the buyers as well. According to Sablan BOD, Benjamin Lorena, this is an effective move because the vegetables are bought directly to the consumers. Under the Kadiwa program, prices of farm produced are dictated by the farmers, with no additional fees for the IA. Farmers freely factor their production costs.

For the record, Kadiwa program have been reintroduced twice by former presidents Joseph Estrada and Rodrigo Duterte, now by Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. after his father’s regime Ferdinand Marcos Sr. who first initiated back in the 70s.

Shine Grace B. Estigoy-UB Intern/ ABN