LAGAWE, Ifugao (PIA) –- The Department of Agriculture (DA), and the provincial government of Ifugao have jointly acquired two refrigerated delivery vans to help farmers transport their produce directly to markets.

DA provided P5 million while the provincial government shelled out P2 million as its share in the procurement of  the two “Kadiwa” vans.

Provincial Agriculture, Environment, and Natural Resources officer Dr. Mariano Domingo said the issue of farm product wastage in the province due partly to difficulties in transport, prompted the collaboration to procure refrigerated vans to support farmers across different municipalities.

"These vans enable us to transport farmers' products directly to Manila markets or other places for the buying public to avail," Domingo said.

According to Domingo, DA-Cordillera facilitated the transport of agricultural products of Tinoc municipality to the towns of Alfonso Lista and Lamut, and sold to the residents.  

In a related development, DA through the Food Terminal Incorporated, and Ifugao Gov. Jerry Dalipog recently conducted a consultation meeting with agriculture stakeholders on the proposed establishment of cold storage and food processing facilities for farm produce in the province.

Emmanuel Bagui of  FTI said the construction of the cold storage facility aligns with their mandate to provide accessible, and modern infrastructure for agricultural producers to connect with consumers, and ensure price stability. (JDP/MBL-PIA Ifugao)