Two farmers’ associations in Bago City, Negros Occidental received a total of PHP1 million in trading capital support from the Department of Agriculture (DA), the city government said on Monday.

The recipients included the Mailum Organic Village Association and Small Farmers Association of Abuanan, Dulao and Atipuluan, which participated in the assessment and planning workshop initiated by DA-Western Visayas Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division (AMAD) here on Nov. 30.

Each received PHP500,000 as additional capital to purchase supplies and help them sell their produce directly to consumers.

The financial grant is under the Enhanced Kadiwa ni Ani at Kita Inclusive Food Supply Chain program, being implemented by the DA-Western Visayas AMAD.

In a statement, city agriculturist-designate Marvin John Blance congratulated the two associations as recipients of the DA financial aid.

“This is through the efforts of the city officials led by Mayor Nicholas Torres, who are dedicated and determined to help our local farmers,” he said.

The Kadiwa ni Ani at Kita program is a direct marketing scheme where producers, including farmers and fisherfolk, are directly linked with the consuming public, making available food commodities at reasonable prices through accessible Kadiwa retail stores in strategic locations.

The financial grants aim to enhance the capacities of farmers/fisherfolk organizations to become reliable food commodity suppliers to consumers and for community-based organizations for the sustainable operations of Kadiwa retail stores. (PNA)