NIA launches ‘Kadiwa’ to boost

food security, promote local products

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol, October 19 (PIA)--To provide quality agricultural products at a lower cost while helping farmers and food producers, the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) Regional Office 7 officially launched its ‘KADIWA sa NIA’ on October 18, 2023 at the NIA Regional Office 7 Compound in Brgy. Dao, Tagbilaran City.

Simultaneous ‘KADIWA sa NIA’ events were also held on the same day in the towns of Pilar, Talibon, and Ubay, with the hope to further raise the standard of living of Boholano farmers through various methods that can increase their income.

“Ang mandato karon sa NIA, dili lamang ang pag-irrigate para sa humay kun dili irrigated agriculture na (The mandate of NIA now is not only to irrigate rice but irrigated agriculture)," said NIA-7 Regional Manager Engr. Rory F. Avance during the opening program.

The ‘KADIWA sa NIA’ also eliminates many marketing layers, allowing farmers to earn bigger by directly selling their produce instead of using trader-intermediaries.

“Kini isa ka venue nga ang produkto sa atong mga mag-uuma dili na moagi sa mga middlemen kun dili direkta niyang mapaabot sa mga would be consumers. Sa ingon ani nga pamaagi, daku kita og matabang sa atong mga partners – atong mga irrigators associations, mga mag-uuma nga kun diin dili na siya mangita intawn og market kun dili ka-partner na ang NIA (This is one avenue where our farmers won't have to go through the middlmen and directly bring their products to the consumers. This way, we can effectively help our partners - the irrigators association, farmers - so they would no longer need to look for a markter but just partner with NIA)," Avance added.

Board Member Atty. Jiselle Rae Villamor, who represented Gov. Erico Aristotle Aumentado, said the provincial government supports this activity to help Boholano farmers.

“We in the provincial government can help NIA and our farmers. We will continue our programs for them like rehabilitating our RPC (Rice Processing Complex) and encouraging our people to buy local products,” Villamor said.

Also present to show support for local agriculture were City Executive Assistant Valentino Gamutin, Larry Pamugas of the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist, and employees of NIA.

The activity is in line with the aim of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to make food accessible and affordable to all Filipinos, while helping the Irrigators’ Associations (IA) market their produce directly to the consumers.

Other products of the Bohol Irrigators' Association include rice, vegetables, and fruits that can be bought at a lesser price in different ‘KADIWA sa NIA’ sites in the province until October 20. (ecb/PIA7-Bohol)

‘KADIWA sa NIA’ was officially launched on October 18 at the NIA Regional Office 7 Compound in Barangay Dao, Tagbilaran City where various products of Bohol Irrigators' Association including rice, vegetables, fruits and others were sold at a cheaper price. (ecb/PIA7-Bohol)