The Department of Agriculture’s latest initiative for bringing farm-to-table produce from farmer groups in the provinces to citizens in Metro Manila has expanded its operations by opening a website called Kadiwa Online.
Kadiwa’s website makes it possible for local government units (LGUs), subdivisions, barangays and other organizations to order vegetables, fruits, rice, eggs, cooking oil and other basic food items in bulk. The minimum orders for each item is stated on the website, with most set at two kilograms like squash, cabbage, sayote and tomato.
The multi-platform system was created to ease the transport and delivery of commodities and encourage LGUs to distribute nutritious food. Moreover, it aims to give the country’s local food producers a stable market despite the enhanced community quarantine in place nationwide.
Noting hurdles and challenges at the beginning of the quarantine when it comes to transporting agri-fishery products, Agriculture Secretary William Dar said that they “are making some adjustments in our Kadiwa program using simple and technological solutions” to further ensure continuous food supply.
As of writing, the covered areas for Kadiwa Online are Alabang, Antipolo, Bicutan, Bonifacio Global City, Cainta, Caloocan, Fairview, Katipunan, Las Piñas, Libis, Makati, Mandaluyong, Manila, Marikina, Muntinlupa, Pasay, Parañaque, Pasig, Pateros, Quezon City, San Juan, Sucat, Taguig, Taytay, Tondo, and all areas in between.
Kadiwa Online operates on a door-to-door delivery basis and also accepts cash on delivery. It also has a fixed delivery fee of P100, which all go to the drivers rendering their services.
Like the Kadiwa stalls, the produce sold at Kadiwa Online are sourced from farmer cooperatives, associations and trading centers in the provinces of Nueva Vizcaya, Nueva Ecija, Isabela, Benguet and Quezon.
Aside from taking its services online, at least 66 more Kadiwa sites are expected to launch nationwide as well, further catering to farmers by ensuring that they sell their products at the best prices and to consumers by making affordable nutritious food items more accessible.
Header photo by Mark M. for Inquirer
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