LISTED agricultural firm AgriNurture, Inc. (ANI) has tied up with the Department of Agriculture (DA) as an official partner-participant under an online Kadiwa program.
On Monday, the two entered into a memorandum of agreement (MoA) that made ANI an online seller of agricultural products under the DA’s eKadiwa ni Ani at Kita program.
The DA’s eKadiwa is an online marketing platform where buyers and sellers of agricultural and fishery products can transact. It was also launched on the same day as the signing of the agreement.
Consumers are provided with easier access to food products by simply using their mobile phones or computers.
The public can visit the website eKadiwa.da.gov.ph to order basic food commodities offered by three partner companies, ANI, Zagana, Inc., and Benjabi Ventures Corp.
Dennis M. Layug, DA senior technical advisor, said that the ordered goods can be paid initially via cash-on-delivery or bank transfer.
The DA is negotiating with commercial banks to include payment via credit card as one of the available payment methods.
“The purchased goods will be delivered initially via Mober, Inc. Other transport and delivery service providers like Lalamove and Grab have signified joining the eKadiwa project,” Mr. Layug said.
Agriculture Secretary William D. Dar said that more farmers’ and fishers’ groups and merchants are expected to join the eKadiwa online market.
Individual sellers or producers’ groups can also register as vendors at the eKadiwa site for free.
According to the DA, the eKadiwa will initially cover Metro Manila, with plans to eventually expand to other major urban areas nationwide.
“The eKadiwa could be the biggest e-commerce site in the agriculture sector,” ANI President Antonio L. Tiu said.
Mober Inc. added that under the eKadiwa, it is expecting a peak of 20,000 deliveries per day in Metro Manila.
“In all, the food supply chain will always be a part of ‘essential services,’ with or without COVID-19. The eKadiwa further expands ‘Kadiwa ni Ani at Kita,’ complementing our regular outlets and rolling stores in Metro Manila and other areas nationwide,” Mr. Dar said. — Revin Mikhael D. Ochave
