ILOILO – To provide farmers with more linkages, the provincial government mulls putting farmers’ markets similar to Kadiwa (Katuwang at Gawa para sa Masaganang Ani at Mataas na Kita) stores at transport terminals.
Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. said Kadiwa stores are “very important” to farmers and consumers because they eliminate middlemen or middle trade that adds cost to the prices of goods.
With municipal-level markets already in place, Defensor wanted to have Kadiwa-type stores at transport terminals with good foot traffic, particularly those that cater to passengers from the province bound for Iloilo City.
The governor recently met with the Department of Interior and Local Government, Provincial Agriculture Office, and Provincial Planning and Development Office to plan a “higher-level” farmers’ market.
“Gusto naton halimbawa ang terminal sang salakyan nga ginapanaogan sang mga pasahero halin sa mga banwa nga masulod sa syudad,” said Defensor.
He added: “We already started the work for that. It’s not easy because that is not the concept of the Kadiwa, although pareho na sia nga the farmers’ market. But if we can, we will put it there kay ti may foot traffic. Kadiwa is a retail market, but much better if you can combine it with the wholesale grocery.”
There is no timetable yet, but the provincial government is working this out with the Iloilo City Government.
Defensor clarified that the proposed farmers’ market at transport terminals differs from the Department of Agriculture’s “bagsakan centers” in Lambunao and San Miguel towns which receive products from local farmers.
“Kon tan-awon mo, ang challenge naton sa stand-alone nga bagsakan kon basi indi amo na sia ka accessible sa mga nagapangumpra,” the governor said.
On July 24, during the second State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., among the highlights was the effect of Kadiwa stores in reducing the prices of rice, meat, fish, produce, and sugar.
“Malaking tulong ang mga Kadiwa stores, na ating muling binuhay at inilunsad. Ang layunin ng Kadiwa ay pag-ugnayin ang magsasaka at ang mamimili. Walang iba pang namamagitan. Walang dagdag na gastos at patong. Maganda ang kita ng magsasaka. Nakaka-tipid din ang ma-mimili,” said the President.
Marcos further said that in more than 7,000 Kadiwa stores around the country, 1.8 million families benefitted, sales reached almost P700,000,000, and livelihoods were provided to 3,000 members of cooperatives and associations.
“Our aim is to boost our local agricultural production — through consolidation, modernization, mechanization, and improvement of value chains — augmented by timely and calibrated importation, as needed,” the President added./PN
