By Ellalyn De Vera-Ruiz The government is eyeing the establishment of additional trading centers to allow more farmers to market their products. Department of Agriculture (MANILA BULLETIN) During a virtual presser on May 19, Tuesday, Department of Agriculture (DA) Assistant Secretary Kristine Evangelista said that Secretary William Dar has instructed them to look for other trading posts, in addition to the Nueva Vizcaya Agricultural Terminal, Benguet Agri-Pinoy Trading Center (BAPTC), and Food Terminal Inc. (FTI). “That is the direction of the DA now because we have seen the important role being played by our trading posts. The ‘bagsakan’ centers have a very critical role because it is where producers and buyers meet,” Evangelista said. “By finding more ‘bagsakan’ centers, we give our farmers more opportunity to sell their products,” she added. She also noted that the DA is providing immediate and long-term solutions to address oversupply of agricultural products. “For our immediate solution, the DA, thru AMAS (Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance), looks for buyers and farmers, and determines the kind and volume of products on hand,” Evangelista said. “For our long-term solution, we want to know what kind of crops the farmers will be planting so we will know when they will harvest. This will allow us to find a buyer even before they can harvest their products,” she said. Evangelista also urged private partnerships for e-Kadiwa to cater to more farm producers and consumers. The new platform incorporates innovative strategies to provide an easier and safer way for farmers, fishers, and other agripreneurs to sell their produce. In addition to fresh vegetables and fruits, fish and meat products are now available on the e-Kadiwa market list, as well as organic produce and indigenous products such as adlai rice.