Agribusiness Kadiwa Center in Agusan Norte town to improve farmers’ income, food access
By Nora L. Molde
BUENAS KADIWA CENTER: Newly constructed P5-million Agribusiness Kadiwa Center, located along Felix Manalo Street in Barangay 2 in Buenavista, Agusan del Norte It will serve as a central hub for agribusiness in the municipality and its 25 barangays. (Photo courtesy of Municipality of Buenavista)
BUTUAN CITY (PIA)—Local farmers and fisherfolk in
Buenavista, Agusan del Norte are set to gain greater market access and higher
income with the newly constructed P5-million Agribusiness Kadiwa Center dubbed
as “Buenas Agribusiness Kadiwa Center” from the Department of Agriculture (DA)
Caraga.
The modern facility, located along Felix Manalo
Street in Barangay 2, will serve as a central hub for agribusiness in the
municipality and its 25 barangays. It provides a direct venue for farmers to
sell their fresh produce, including vegetables, fruits, rice, and value-added
agri-fishery products straight to the consumers, cutting out middlemen and
ensuring fair prices.
With the center’s operations managed by the
Municipal Agriculture Office, the project is expected to increase farmers’
income by at least 20 percent, improve local food availability, and strengthen
the link between producers and the community. It will also serve as a
consolidation point for products from farmer and fisherfolk cooperatives,
ensuring consistent supply and reasonable prices.
Mayor Joselito T. Roble of Buenavista emphasized
that the Kadiwa Center is more than just a structure, it is a gateway to
livelihood opportunities, a tool for empowering rural producers, and a step
toward making food more accessible to households.
“This project is a direct investment in our
farmers’ future. By removing unnecessary market layers, we can ensure better
income for producers and more affordable products for consumers,” Mayor Roble
said.
Regional Executive Director Arlan M. Mangelen of DA
Caraga commended the LGU’s active participation in agricultural programs,
saying that the center could serve as a model for rural livelihood development
in the region.
“This shows your commitment to uplifting the lives
of our farmers. The Department of Agriculture will remain your partner in
pushing for sustainable agricultural growth,” Dir. Mangelen said.
The Kadiwa Center forms part of DA Caraga’s
Enhanced Kadiwa Grant, which promotes stronger market linkages and food
security at the community level. The facility complements ongoing local
projects, including the upcoming P100-million municipal port with cold storage
funded by the Philippine Fisheries Development Authority, set to boost
Buenavista’s agri-fishery value chain even further.
Ellen Vee P. Chua, provincial director of the
Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Agusan del Norte affirmed
that the Kadiwa program is an important measure that quickly responds to food
insecurity and it allows local producers to sell directly to consumers at
affordable prices.
With PBBM’s national vision for Kadiwa, the Buenas
center aligns with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s national directive to
expand Kadiwa centers as a key driver of food security and agricultural equity,
Dir. Chua added.
By blending national vision with provincial action and municipal implementation, the Buenas Agribusiness Kadiwa Center embodies a whole-of-government approach to inclusive agriculture and food security. (NCLM, PIA Agusan del Norte)