DA-11 hands over P6.7-M Kadiwa facilities to Davao de Oro farmers
DAVAO CITY – Farmers in Maco, Davao de Oro expressed appreciation to the national government after the Department of Agriculture in the Davao Region (DA-11) turned over PHP6.7 million worth of Kadiwa facilities and launched the PHP20-per-kilogram rice program, “Benteng Bigas Meron Na,” on Tuesday afternoon. The assistance package includes an upgraded Bagsakan Center, a cold storage facility, and a hauling truck provided through the Kadiwa Financial Grant Assistance Program. These facilities aim to strengthen the post-harvest handling and marketing of agricultural products in the area. Giovanni Mondaya, a farmer from Maco, said the hauling truck will help farmers transport their produce more easily to nearby towns and markets. “It is now easier for us to deliver our products to the market,” Mondaya said in an interview Wednesday. The initiative is expected to benefit 12 farmers’ associations and cooperatives in the Masara line barangays of Maco, covering around 500 farmer-members. Mondaya also welcomed the government’s PHP20 rice initiative, noting its importance as farmers and consumers continue to cope with rising fuel prices. The program aims to provide affordable rice to communities through the Kadiwa distribution network. The project was implemented by the DA-11 Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division in partnership with the Maco local government unit to enhance post-harvest facilities, reduce product losses, improve produce quality, and strengthen market connections for farmers. DA Assistant Secretary for Agribusiness, Marketing, and Consumer Affairs Genevieve Velicaria-Guevarra said the intervention will improve farmers’ access to markets by supporting product consolidation, storage, and transport. Meanwhile, DA-11 Regional Director Macario D. Gonzaga highlighted the importance of hauling support amid rising fuel costs. “With the increasing price of gasoline, transporting agricultural products has become more challenging. Through this support, we aim to ease that burden by providing a more efficient system for consolidation and delivery,” Gonzaga said in a statement Wednesday.
NPO News Team | Philippine News Agency - PR
