Grab and DA partner to sell, deliver farm produce through app

Grab Philippines and the Department of Agriculture (DA) on Friday inked a partnership to support the livelihood of farmers and agripreneurs by offering their produce through Grab's mobile application.

The partnership was signed by Agriculture Secretary William Dar and Grab Philippines President Brian Cu.

The Grab-DA project would give consumers across Metro Manila access to the local produce offered by the DA’s Kadiwa ni Ani at Kita-partner agripreneurs such as Ani Express, Zagana, and Benjabi, and which would be delivered straight to their doorsteps through GrabExpress’ on-demand delivery service.

The Kadiwa ni Ani at Kita Program is a market system that facilitates the selling of major agricultural goods at reasonably low prices to the consumers in partnership with local government units and the private sector.

The DA will be purchasing fresh produce from farmers and food growers, eliminating middlemen thus enabling farmers and food growers to earn more equitably from their hard work.

“Through our technology, Grab can showcase local produce especially to those who are staying at home and unable to shop at wet markets and grocery stores,” Cu said.

“As we all cope with the pandemic and chart our nation’s path towards the new reality, I am always hopeful for the future of agriculture and agripreneurship in our country. As we all know our hard-working farmers barely make ends meet due to layers of middlemen, but with the DA purchasing fresh produce directly from farmers and agripreneurs, they are now able to earn more,” he added.

The introduction of its services in providing access to local farm produce were not only poised to banner and democratize technology to help Filipinos cope with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, but also aimed to expand economic opportunities for local agripreneurs, create livelihood opportunities for thousands of farmers and agricultural producers across the country, as well as aid in easing the growing concerns on food security, according to Grab.

“We are hopeful that these local produce can reach far and wide through the technology and wide delivery network of GrabExpress. With such advances in technology, I am looking forward to seeing more agripreneurs and farmers growing side by side helping our kababayans through the new reality,” said Cu.

“We are very humbled, thankful, and excited to be working alongside the Department of Agriculture to help further their innovative concept of connecting farmers and agripreneurs to our kababayans, especially during these trying times.” — DVM, GMA News