The Department of Agriculture (DA) 8 (Eastern Visayas) has called on local government units (LGUs) to make affordable agricultural products more accessible in communities by setting up Kadiwa stores.

DA-8 Executive Director Andrew Orais said on Tuesday the regional office has established a Kadiwa store at the Government Center in Palo, Leyte and other strategic areas in the region to serve as a model for towns.

“We are creating market opportunities to our farmers that will encourage them to produce more so that we can attain food security,” Orais told the Philippine News Agency (PNA).

A total of 26 Kadiwa stores have been established by local governments in partnership with the DA and other national government agencies.

On June 17, government agencies signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) that aims to institutionalize and sustain the establishment of the “Kadiwa ng Pangulo” at the local level.

The ceremonial signing, which was held at the Provincial Capitol of San Fernando, Pampanga, was witnessed by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.

In his message, Marcos said the distribution of affordable food would not be possible if the national and local governments do not work together.

The MOA signatories were officials of the DA; the departments of trade, labor, social welfare, and the interior; Presidential Communications Office; and Presidential Management Staff.

Kadiwa stands for “Katuwang sa Diwa at Gawa para sa Masaganang Ani at Mataas na Kita,” a marketing strategy of the DA that directly connects food producers to consumers, making products less costly.

It is implemented through the Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance, which seeks to empower the farming community by providing a direct and effective farm-to-consumer food supply chain.

Orais said the model eliminates many marketing layers, allowing producers to earn bigger from directly selling their produce instead of using trader-intermediaries.

It reduces marketing expenses, thus making fresh and quality products more affordable for consumers.

Marcos said the Kadiwa should be established in more areas to help consumers buy food products at lower prices, compared to those sold at regular markets and stores. (PNA)