The “Walang Sayang” Project of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Region 2, with a goal to help farmers and agri-MSMEs in Cagayan Valley in marketing their produce and lessen the wastage of commodities due to oversupply, continues to strengthen assistance through bolstering market linkages.

Movers of the project which include Ms. Rheina De Guzman (an entrepreneur who has benefited from a number of DTI programs such as the Food development program, One Town One Product (OTOP) Next Gen and Kapatid Mentor ME (KMME) ), MAYANI.Ph, Rural Rising, Forturo Foods Manufacturing, Curative Farms and Insight Supply Chain Solutions met recently to discuss plans and initiatives for 2021.

One such initiative is the roll-out this year of the partnership with DELIVER-e online marketing platform of The United States Agency for International Development (USAID), to link Filipino farmers with consumers through a farmer-to-market digital platform.

Last February 2021, almost 6.5 tons of fruits and vegetables (broccoli, tomatoes, cabbage, purple corn were moved out of the farms of Dupax, Ambaguio, Kayapa and Kasibu, Nueva Vizcaya, assisting a total of 115 farmers in Region 2.

It may be recalled that the “Walang Sayang” Project was initiated in March 2020 during the height of strict border protocols due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The objective was to help farmers move their produce unhampered and ensure a steady market in order to sustain their sources of livelihood.

The project also endeavors to link up local farmers and fisherfolk with food processors, food supply chains, retail chains, online stores and the food service industry including restaurants and food delivery services.

For more information about the “Walang Sayang” Project, you may contact Ms. Ragel Tacazon, DTI R2’s Full Disclosure Policy (FDP) Focal Person, at RagelTacazon@dti.gov.ph♦

Date of Release: 19 March 2021