The Department of Agriculture (DA), through the Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division (AMAD), has rolled out anew the “Kadiwa on Wheels” in this province to offer fresh vegetables, fruits and marine products to residents at affordable prices.

DA Senior Agriculturist Carmencita Nogoy said on Tuesday that they have been conducting mobile market activities in various areas here since Jan. 23, where a wide array of fresh fruits and vegetables, fish and other fishery products, frozen meat and poultry products are available for consumers.

Nogoy said the Kadiwa on Wheels program aims not just to offer cheaper locally produced and manufactured products to the public but also to help the fisherfolk and farmers market their produce.

“The program does not just benefit the public who can buy commodities at lower prices but also the farmers and fisherfolk who can market their products at prices that give them more income,” she said in an interview.

Among the products being offered to the residents are white onions from the Paroba Matamo Livelihood Business & Agriculture Association in Arayat town, freshly harvested lowland vegetables of the Abe-Abe Magmamangga group in Sta. Ana town and other agri-products from RV de Dios Food Manufacturing, Farmers’ Joy, Plant Habitat and Kaka Farmers Association.

Nogoy said the Kadiwa on Wheels was first rolled out at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 to ensure food accessibility and affordability and was re-introduced amid the current high prices of agricultural products.

“People are happy with the prices. They keep on asking when will Kadiwa on Wheels come back. Farmers, cooperatives, associations and small and medium enterprises are also delighted with the positive response of the communities,” she said.

The next Kadiwa on Wheels in the province is scheduled on Wednesday at the Aspire Prime Residences in Barangay Dela Paz Norte, this city. (PNA)