Department of Agriculture’s (DA) Kadiwa ni Ani at Kita outlets, which link farmers and fisherfolk directly with consumers, will soon be selling more than agricultural products.

In an interview with GMA News, Agriculture Secretary William Dar said the DA is partnering with the Department of Trade and Industry in order to sell discounted manufactured products usually sold at DTI’s Diskuwento Caravan.

Dar said DTI Secretary Ramon Lopez, at a food security group meeting last week, “suggested we join forces. And immediately I said why not.”

The outlets will be called “Kadiwa at Diskuwento Caravan ng DA at DTI.”

They will soon be selling manufactured products such as canned meat, sardines, instant noodles, powdered and liquid milk, coffee, soaps, and detergents.

“Ang partnership na ito ng DA, DTI ay inaasahang makakatulong sa mga urban families na apektado ng enhanced community quarantine,” Dar told GMA News.

Prices at the Kadiwa at Diskuwento Caravan ng DA at DTI will be lower than the prevailing suggested retail prices.

“Mas mababa sa supermarket, mas mababa sa SRP’s ng fresh products, mas mababa sa price freeze na pinapatupad po natin,” Dar said.

He added that this will also help curb the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

“This will be part of flattening the curve in many ways. Ang sinasabi nating flattening the curve ay both yung COVID-19 kasi masustansiya at mayroong kinakain na sapat ang mga tao. At the same time ay yun doon sa economic side ay tuloy pa rin yung mga production nito sa kanayunan at saka yung marketing nitong products so economic activity continues,” Dar added.

The DA is also looking for private business entities that will partner with farmers to bring more agricultural products to Metro Manila.

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