MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Agriculture (DA) said on Wednesday that it will sell 160 tons of vegetables in January through the Kadiwa Veggie Connect and other programs.
According to the DA, this will help around 90 farmers in the Mt. Province, Benguet, and Ifugao.
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“A total 163,189 kilograms [of vegetables] were sold and will be sold until January 26, 2024, assisting 93 farmers from the provinces of Mt. Province, Benguet, and Ifugao,” said Jennilyn Dawayan, the officer-in-charge of the office of the Regional Executive Director-Cordillera Administrative Region.
Dawayan said that from January 8 to 14, farmers had sold 44 tons of vegetables, which was followed by 105.6 tons in the next week.
Meanwhile, DA Secretary Francisco Laurel Jr. said that the department’s goal was to provide consumers with cheaper foods and for producers to bring them to the market.
“It’s our goal to make agriculture a profitable venture for millions of farmers, fishermen, and others in the value chain. By helping them bring their products directly to market, we’re helping agriculture workers and entrepreneurs and providing consumers access to lower-priced food products,” Laurel said.
Laurel also expressed hope that the program can also be done for other agricultural products such as poultry, livestock, and other crops.
“We hope to replicate this program in other parts of the country and in other agricultural products, including poultry, livestock, fish, and high value crops,” he added.
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