Laurel wants market linkage for other agri produce
At A Glance
- The Department of Agriculture (DA) wants a market linkage program similar to the highland veggie connect for other agricultural commodities.<br>This was done through selling 160 tons of highland vegetables via Kadiwa Veggie Connect and other market linkage programs.<br>This month alone, a total of 163,189 kilograms were sold and will be sold by the end of the week, and would be able to assist around 93 farmers from Mt. Province, Benguet, and Ifugao.<br>The 11 metric ton unsold vegetables have been initially procured by the Baguio City government and its neighbors early January, while highland farmers sold around 44 to 105.6 metric tons.<br>In January, vegetables cost P10 to P15 per kilo, allowing consumers to have a cheaper option to vegetable consumption.
After the successful promotion of the highland vegetables through various market linkage initiatives, the Department of Agriculture (DA) wants a similar program implemented beyond the Cordillera region, and assist farmers by selling other produce.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel said on Wednesday, Jan. 24, that bringing vegetables and other agriculture goods directly to the market would help farmers and consumers gain access to cheaper products.
"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 said.
This month alone, around 160 metric tons of vegetables were sold this month through the Kadiwa Veggie Connect.
Because of this, the DA was able to address three key points– provide financial aid to approximately 100 farmers, prevent food spoilage and waste, and give cheaper access and alternatives to consumers.
Jennilyn Dawayan, the officer-in-charge of the Regional Executive Director-Cordillera administrative region, shared the number of vegetables to be sold until Friday, Jan. 26.
This ensured continuous support to farmers via Kadiwa services.
“A total 163,189 kilograms [of vegetables] were sold and will be sold, assisting 93 farmers from the provinces of Mt. Province, Benguet and Ifugao,” she elaborated.
Meanwhile, the 11 metric ton unsold vegetables from various traders were initially procured by the national government in Baguio City and other neighboring places from January 5 to 6.
From January 8 to 14, highland farmers successfully sold 44 tons, while 105.6 tons were carried out a week later.
“[The vegetable] prices ranged from P10 to P15 per kilo,” Dawayan added.
The Veggie Connect program, in partnership with the Cordillera Association of Regional Executives, not only provides farmer assistance but also allows the agriculture agency to monitor the supply and amount of unsold vegetables, like cabbages and Chinese cabbage, during the supply glut.
“Some vegetable farmers in the Cordilleras usually opt to dump older inventory to prevent prices of vegetables from falling further when new harvests, those preferred by traders, arrive at trading posts,” DA reported.
Furthermore, the agriculture chief aims to enhance and upgrade the market access for farmers and fisherfolk and make the industry a profitable venture for its local stakeholders.
His current plans of action hope to modernize agriculture, increase food production, lower food costs, ensure food security, and make farming and fishery a bankable investment alternative.