DAINALUPIHAN, Bataan — The Department of Agriculture on Wednesday launched here the first “Kadiwa ni Ani at Kita” in Central Luzon.
Usec Ernesto Gonzales of DA Consumers Affairs, DA Region 3 director Custodio Bautista, and Dinalupihan Mayor Maria Angela Garcia cut the ceremonial ribbon and later signed a memorandum of understanding between the Agriculture department and the municipal government.
The project launching has for the theme “Katuwang sa Diwa at Gawa Para sa Masagang Ani at Mataas na Kita.”
Kadiwa was introduced during the Marcos administration and shortly by former Pres. Joseph Estrada and relaunched under the leadership of Pres. Rodrigo Duterte aimed at helping the farmers and bring down the prices of agricultural commodities.
Bautista said through Kadiwa, farmers will have the chance to engage in direct selling of their produce and be not under the mercy of unscrupulous traders. “It will halt ang hindi makatarungang pagtaas ng presyo dahil ilalapit ang magsasaka sa mamimili,” he said.
Garcia thanked the DA for choosing Dinalupihan as the pilot area.
“Ang ating vision sa ating bayan ay maging isang modernong agropolis ng buong Central Luzon at ang ating mga magsasaka, kayo po ang aming bayani,” the lady mayor said, adding that she will seek help from the national, regional, provincial and municipal governments to assist the farmers.
Gonzales said doleouts like cash and animal dispersal will be stopped by the DA and instead beneficial and long-lasting projects will be given to the farmers: “Bibigyan ko kayo ng proyekto na after one o two years hindi na kayo lalapit sa akin para humingi ng pera kasi mayaman na kayo. Iyan ang kailangan natin sa isang farmer hindi ba? Hindi iyong maya-maya, hingi dito, hingi doon.”
He said he will come back to Dinalupihan to talk with the leaders of the farmers about the project: “May gagawin tayong project dito, ang free range chicken na gagawin nating industriya. Hindi small time lang, mapapalaki natin iyan kung magkakaisa kayo.”
Gonzales said he will make Dinalupihan as an example and model of a successful program: “Pangarap ko lang, I hope I can see someday ang poultry industry sa buong Pilipinas na kapag sinabing lechon manok, barbeque na manok na free range ang gagamitin, hindi broiler.”
Some 50 sellers occupied stalls at Dinalupihan municipal ground selling diff erent agricultural products like fried itik, fried pugo, various vegetables, root crops like big ube and kamoteng kahoy and fruits, rice, carabao milk and assorted delicacies.
The agri-trade fair will last for three days.
