Marissa Mohammad, Chief of Agri Business Marketing Division of DA-9 explained that the peak months where prices usually increase due to insufficient supply with high demand is one the factors of price increase in agri-fishery products.

“It is expected that it will increase especially that we do not have enough production in the region,” Mohammad added.

Some of the factors are also due to the occurrence of African Swine Fever and climate change that affects the production of the farmers and fisherfolks.

DA-9 assures that based on price monitoring compared with the previous year, the prices will go down in the coming month of February and will go back to normal after the holiday season because the demand will also decrease.

During the holiday season and the increase of prices of commodities especially in agri-fishery products, DA-9 launched the ‘Kadiwa ng Pasko’ where they bring the commodities to communities with lower and affordable prices.

Kadiwa sells commodities at a price about 10 pesos lower compared with the market, to make it available to the public. This also helps local farmers and fisherfolks sell their products in the entire region of Zamboanga Peninsula.

Meanwhile, DA-9 also looks for areas in Zamboanga City where to grow onions and market it locally to increase the supply and address the price increase of onions in the country. DA-9 encourages local farmers and fisherfolks to be accredited by their office to increase capital and logistics and continue production for the enhanced Kadiwa Program. (RVC/MLE/PIA9-Zamboanga City)