DA facilitating sale of 160 tons of highland vegetables

Seeking to prevent food wastage while helping farmers cope with a supply glut, the Department of Agriculture (DA) is facilitating the sale of over 160 tons of highland vegetables this January through the Kadiwa Veggie Connect and other market linkage programs.

In a statement released Wednesday, the DA said 11 tons of unsold vegetables were initially procured by national government offices in Baguio City and neighboring areas from Jan. 5 to 6. Farmers then sold some 44 tons from Jan. 8 to 14, followed by 105.6 tons a week later.

"A total 163,189 kilograms [of vegetables] were sold and will be sold until January 26, 2024, assisting 93 farmers from the provinces of Mt. Province, Benguet, and Ifugao," said the DA office in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) said in a report to Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr.

The Cordillera Association of Regional Executives is collaborating with the DA for the Kadiwa Veggie Connect to help the agency monitor the supply and volume of unsold vegetables.

In particular, Kadiwa Veggie Connect is monitoring cabbages and Chinese cabbages (pechay Baguio) "whose prices have fallen due to a supply glut," the DA said.

"We will continue to provide Kadiwa services to farmers as may be needed," the DA-CAR said.

Laurel said the ongoing sale of highland vegetables would provide help the farmers financially, prevent potential food wastage, and provide consumers access to cheaper food. — Jiselle Anne Casucian/ VDV, GMA Integrated News