The Kadiwa ni Ani at Kita (Kadiwa) initiatives have played a vital role in the efforts of the government to secure food for households especially during the pandemic in the Caraga Region.

The Department of Agriculture-Caraga (DA-13) has recognized the contributions of Kadiwa initiatives particularly carried out by the different farmers’ associations and cooperatives in the area.

“Amid the pandemic and community-wide lockdowns, hundreds of agri-fishery food suppliers served as front-liners who ensured that food is made available and accessible to communities,” the DA-13 said in a statement.

Thousands of consumers in Caraga have availed essential food and products right at the premises of their homes made possible through the partnership of the agency and various cooperatives and associations, it added.

In 2020 when lockdowns were imposed to contain the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), the Kadiwa-On-Wheels initiatives had served around 12,026 consumers in different barangays of Butuan City, based on the latest data from the DA-13.

A total of 49 Kadiwa farmer suppliers joined the Kadiwa-On-Wheels program who sold 31,421 kilograms of agricultural products that earned them PHP3,193,488 income last year, the data added.

A separate Kadiwa-On-Wheels was also established at the Robinsons Place in Butuan last year that served 1,215 individuals, sold 5,652.50 kilograms of food products, and generated an income of around PHP724,768.

The Kadiwa-On-Wheels continued until 2021 that also served the different barangays in Butuan City, especially those affected by the continued imposition of quarantine protocols.

As of August 2021, the program was able to serve 6,540 consumers, sold at least 13,169 kilograms of food products, and total gross sales of PHP1,487,036.

A Kadiwa-On-Wheels was also established at the SM City in Butuan this year that benefited 580 individuals, sold at least 3,955 kilograms of food products, and gross sales of PHP289,557 pesos.

Various government agencies also brought agriculture-based food products to communities last year through the Kadiwa-Sa-Pamahalaan initiatives, the DA-13 said.

In 2020, the Kadiwa-Sa-Pamahalaan served 1,412 beneficiaries and generated a gross income sale of PHP624,131.

As of August this year, the initiative of government agencies has generated around PHP47,147 gross sales.

DA-13 director Abel James Monteagudo recognized the efforts of the farmers as they continue to serve the people of Caraga during the health crisis.

“In this time of the pandemic, the maximum effort that we can contribute to our affected farmers and fishers is to support what they offer. Because through this, we can deliver what is mandated to us, to produce food for the country, and to uplift the lives of our farmers, who are our heroes in these times,” Monteagudo said.

He added that the Kadiwa program is designed to make sure food is available in highly populated or urbanized areas, create direct market linkage from farmers to consumers, and extend services on the marketing and entrepreneurial capacities of the local farmers and fisherfolk. (PNA)