San Fernando City, La Union – The Department of Agriculture Regional Field Office 1 kicks-off today, March 8, its celebration of women’s month with the launching of e-Kadiwa and opening of Kadiwa ni Ani at Kita trade fair which will run from March 8 – 12, 2021. 

Bearing the theme “Juana Laban sa Pandemya, Kaya!” DA RFO 1 Regional Executive Director Nestor D. Domenden expressed his sincere acknowledgement of women’s contributions during this time of pandemic. 

“Sa gitna ng laban kontra COVID-19, nariyan din ang ating mga frontliners na mga guro, mga sundalo, pulis, at higit sa lahat ang mga kababaihang nasa sector ng agrikultura na tumulong na bigyang kasiguruhan ang sapat na pagkain para sa lahat ng mamamayang Pilipino,’ said RED Domenden. 

As of 2020, the current labor force participation rate for women in DA-RFO1 is 54.73%.
“Tayong mga kababaihan we should be glad that there is a special day given to us to recognize our contribution, our big role,” said Regional Technical Director for Operations Erlinda F. Manipon. 

One of the highlights of the ceremony is the awarding of plaque to Ms. Milagros Buenafe, 83, who is the top 6 awardee in the national search for Outstanding Rural Women in 2019.

Buenafe is the owner-manager of the successful Binmaley Rural Improvement Club seafood products, a fish processing business in Pangasinan. 

Meanwhile, the e-kadiwa market is an online platform to link producers with consumers.
The agri-trade fair was participated by 19 exhibitors namely Uncle Tom’s Food Products, Farmer’s Delight Food Products Manufacturing, Dapuyen’s Vigan Delicacies, JB’s Aqua Farm and Seafood Products, Jomah’s Special Banana Chips, Ann’s Food Products, Familiar Table, CHADEL, Philippine Carabao Center, E.G Cruz Agri-Ventures Organic Farming, Rural Improvement Club Federation, Innovative Family Enterprise Development, Magnificient Fisherfolk & Payao Association, Ubagan Fisherfolk Association, San Pablo Multi-purpose Cooperative, National Food Authority, Alcala Onion Growers Multi-Purpose Cooperative, Caba La Union Farmer’s & Fishermen Marketing, and John Escat Dressing Plant. ###