IN PHOTOS | The Department of Agriculture Central Visayas (DA7), through the Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division (AMAD) conducted a three-day assessment workshop for KADIWA Financial Grant beneficiaries in Central Visayas on April 16-18, 2024, at a hotel in Cebu City.

Of the twenty-eight farmer cooperative and associations (FCAs) attended, 13 were from Cebu, 10 from Bohol, and 5 from Negros Oriental.

During her message, DA7 Regional Executive Director Angel C. Enriquez emphasized the agency’s goals for each project and the expected outcome for replication to other farming locations.

“The project grants we provided, we want to be replicated at various farm sites. You have demonstrated that agriculture can generate income. Let’s prove that farmers can earn an income and that agriculture is profitable,” Director Enriquez stated.

She further encouraged the participants to raise any issues, concerns, or recommendations about the agency’s implemented projects. “There is still hope in granting financial assistance to strong and active organizations,” she added.

The activity provided an opportunity for FCAs to share their best practices, facilitating improvements within their respective organizations.

Key topics discussed during the three-day activity included revisiting the Revised Implementing Guidelines of the KADIWA Financial Grant Assistance Program, reviewing Memorandums of Agreements (MOAs) related to the grants, and addressing concerns outlined in the COA Audit Observation Memorandum (AOM).

Through collaborative efforts and knowledge-sharing, the DA7 aims to enhance the effectiveness of the KADIWA Financial Grant program, ultimately contributing to the sustainable development of the agriculture and fishing sectors in Central Visayas.