THE Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) said it has launched an online trade and marketing program for producers and consumers, which will help raise money for disaster recovery efforts.
The program will set aside 5% of gross sales to fund such efforts, according to CDA National Secretary Lucy G. Furo.
Ms. Furo said at the online launch on Monday that the platform is also intended to cut trade and marketing costs for cooperative farmers by connecting them directly to consumers.
The CDA will tap the Federation of People’s Sustainable Development Cooperative and Homenet Producers Cooperative to help market the program. Participants will send in video clips of their products to facilitate orders, delivery, and payments.
CDA Regional Director Marieta P. Hwang said the program is in response to the “new normal” brought about by the pandemic.
Trade Secretary Ramon M. Lopez, in a recorded message, said that he supports the digitalization of cooperatives and the marketing of their goods.
“Digitalization really is a great equalizer. Mapapantayan natin lahat ng mga ginagawa ng mga malalaking kumpanya (we’ll equal the work of big companies) by honing digital,” he said. — Jenina P. Ibañez
