THE DEPARTMENT of Agriculture XI reported positive reception from consumers of the Kadiwa on Wheels fruit display and durian tasting in Quezon City and Metro Manila.
The Kadiwa on Wheels fruit display featured fresh produce including Durian, pomelo, mangosteen, and lanzones from farmer-producers in Davao Region.
DA XI, in a press release, said the program aims to strengthen market access and increase demand for locally produced agricultural commodities and ensure Davao’s farmers reach more consumers nationwide.
The agency said the fruit tasting allowed consumers to experience the flavor and quality of Davao’s fresh fruits and support the farmers and producers behind the products at the same time.
“The support of our consumers here in Metro Manila is very important to our farmers in Davao. Every purchase of their produce helps create demand and provides our farmer-producers with a wider market for their harvest,” DA XI regional executive director Macario D. Gonzaga said.
He added that the consumers in Metro Manila provided a “warm welcome” to the fruits, which is a “meaningful” form of support for Davao’s fruit farmers.
Eduard Cervantes, fruit farmer-producer of La Prinsesa Agri Farm from Baguio District, Davao City, said the Kadiwa on Wheels also provided the Davao farmers with additional market exposure to consumers beyond Davao Region.
“Ako mismo personal nasinati ang Kadiwa on wheels. In fact, sa atong durian industry, isa sa atong damgo nga mapataas ang per capita consumption sa atong durian para ma-improve ang local market,” Cervantes said.
DA XI reported that current per capita consumption of durian is only 0.66 kilograms, which requires expanding market opportunities.
The program also aimed to help minimize postharvest losses and wastage.
Cervantes stressed that there is already a growing market for durian. “Wala na halos nag-ingon nga dili ganahan sa durian. Ang uban natong mga prutas, ginapangita gyud sa Manila,” he said.
Through initiatives like Kadiwa on Wheels, Davao’s fruit farmers gain opportunities to reach more consumers and strengthen the market for durian and other locally produced fruits.
The Kadiwa on Wheels fruit display at the Department of Agriculture Compound in Quezon City ran from September 1 to 3 and will transfer to Metro Manila starting Sept. 4, before heading to Cebu, Baguio, and Pasay until October.
