Baguio: The Department of Agriculture (DA) in the Cordillera region announced its readiness to deploy Kadiwa trucks to assist farmers in transporting unsold vegetables. Trading activity in Benguet remains low due to flooding in Metro Manila and other lowland provinces.

According to Philippines News Agency, DA-Cordillera Director Jennilyn Dawayan stated that they are prepared to dispatch Kadiwa trucks directly to buyers to prevent spoilage and heavy losses for farmers. "If rescue operations are needed, we will act," Dawayan said in a phone interview.

The Benguet Agripinoy Trading Center in La Trinidad, a government trading facility, recorded 115 farmers' trucks arriving with assorted vegetables, while 38 traders' trucks were ready to transport the produce to markets outside the province. Vegetable prices dropped earlier in the week due to limited buyers and transport issues caused by heavy rains. However, recent reports indicated a slight increase in wholesale prices by PHP 1 to PHP 11 per kg.

Dawayan emphasized the DA's commitment to helping farmers facing difficulties in selling their produce to avoid spoilage. She cited a similar situation in January when the department connected farmers to local and regional buyers and used Kadiwa trucks to assist in transporting vegetables. "As long as farmers coordinate with us, we are willing to help, just as we've done in the past," she added.

So far, the DA-Cordillera has not received reports of farmers unable to sell their produce. Meanwhile, Dawayan mentioned that the department is working on acquiring equipment for drying, processing, and dehydrating vegetables and other farm products to address dumping caused by oversupply or lack of buyers. "That's the direction we're heading. We just need the right machines for specific products so we can provide farmers with another option for unsold produce," she said.