THE Department of Agriculture (DA) said that they are facilitating the sale of over 160 tons of highland vegetables this month, through the Kadiwa Veggie Connect and other linkage programs.

The DA said this is aimed to prevent food wastage, while helping farmers cope with a supply glut.

According to the DA, some 11 tons of unsold vegetables had been initially procured by national government offices in Baguio City and neighboring areas from Jan. 5 to 6. Farmers.

They then sold some 44 tons from Jan. 8 to 14, followed by 105.6 tons a week later.

"A total 163,189 kilograms [of vegetables] were sold and will be sold until January 26, 2024, assisting 93 farmers from the provinces of Mt. Province, Benguet, and Ifugao," said the DA office in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) said in a report to Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr.

Meanwhile, the Cordillera Association of Regional Executives said that they are collaborating with the DA for the Kadiwa Veggie Connect.

This, they said, will help them monitor the supply and volume of unsold vegetables.

The Kadiwa Veggie Connect is monitoring cabbages and Chinese cabbages (pechay Baguio) "whose prices have fallen due to a supply glut," the DA said.

"We will continue to provide Kadiwa services to farmers as may be needed," the DA-CAR said.