March 29, 2024

As part of the Filipino Food Month celebration, the Department of Agriculture-Cordillera in partnership with SM City Baguio opened the Kadiwa ni Ani at Kita Retailing, dubbed as “Farmers Produce” at the SM City Baguio Mall Atrium.

The retailing exhibits a wide selection of affordable produce fresh from local farms and processed products of 13 participating farmer’s cooperatives and associations (FCAs) and micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) across the region.

“We are very much privileged to host this event in partnership with DA-Cordillera to support our local farmers and bring the farm-to-table experience to all SM City Baguio shoppers,” said Michael John Peña of SM City Baguio.

DA-Cordillera Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division Chief Joan D. Bacbac said the DA under the leadership of Sec. William D. Dar has always envisioned having a food-secure Philippines.

One of its programs is the Kadiwa ni Ani at Kita that aims to increase the income of farmers and fisher folks and strengthen partnership and builds market linkages, not only from the local to the national level but also to the private sector.

“This is an opportunity for everyone, especially our farmers, who only go directly to the trading posts to sell their products. We have other avenues to market your products. We have the Kadiwa in Capitol, Session Road, and now, SM. We’d like to bring all of you closer to our end consumers giving them a fair price for your product,” Bacbac said.

The Farmers Produce is open until May 8. Some of the products available are heirloom rice; highland vegetables such as potatoes, carrots, cabbages, lettuce, broccoli; fruits like cherry tomatoes, strawberries, mangoes, avocadoes, cotton fruits, and papaya; herbs such as onions and garlic; processed products like cacao chocolates, coffee, yogurt, and vinaigrette; and potted plants.

The 13 participating FCAs/MSMEs are Bacarra Zanjero Irrigators MPC; La Organica Farmers Association; Barangay Loakan Organic Practitioners Association; Benguet Heirloom Rice Farmers Agricultural Cooperative; Palayen Farm; Madaymen Good Agricultural Products Association; Pinto Rural Improvement Club; Alcala Rice, Corn and Onion MPC; Dulche Chocolate and Trezo; Tuba Benguet Coffee Growers Association; Orchid Honey Trading; Yan’s Dried Fish, and DA-Kabataang Agribiz. – Press release