Product Offerings
Products:
Services: Market Development & Trade Facilitation, Agribusiness Investment Promotion, KADIWA Program Coordination, Enterprise Development & Business Planning, Food Pass Issuance
The Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office IV CALABARZON (DA-RFO 4A), through its Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division (AMAD), leads strategic agribusiness development and market integration efforts across the provinces of Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon. Headquartered in Lipa City, DA-RFO 4A serves as a critical enabler of inclusive, resilient, and market-oriented agriculture in one of the country’s most industrially and agriculturally dynamic regions.
Core Services and Mandate
AMAD RFO 4A executes key programs that bridge production to markets, empower micro and small enterprises, and facilitate agribusiness investment. Its core services include:
- Market Development and Trade Facilitation: Conducts B2B linkages, regional agri-fairs, and institutional buyer engagement to support local agri-enterprise market access.
- KADIWA Program Implementation: Operates and supports the KADIWA ni Ani at Kita program, facilitating direct-to-consumer food distribution models, particularly during emergencies.
- Enterprise Development and Business Planning: Provides training, business coaching, and product development assistance to farmers' cooperatives and MSMEs.
- Agribusiness Investment Promotion: Assists potential investors and agri-entrepreneurs in accessing funding, support services, and regulatory guidance.
- Food Pass Issuance and Agri-Logistics Support: Issues food lane passes and coordinates regional logistics to ensure smooth agri-food mobility, especially during calamities or health crises.
These programs are customized to the highly urbanized and peri-urban agricultural ecosystem of CALABARZON.
Strategic Regional Focus and Specialization
The CALABARZON region is known for its:
- Proximity to Metro Manila, making it a prime supplier of fresh produce, dairy, and livestock
- High-value crops like coffee (Batangas), pineapple (Quezon), and coconut (Laguna)
- Agri-industrial integration, with strong links between production and food processing sectors
- Emerging organic and agri-tourism enterprises, particularly in Rizal and Cavite
AMAD RFO 4A’s strategy capitalizes on these strengths by nurturing farmer cooperatives and agri-MSMEs into scalable and market-competitive enterprises.
Target Beneficiaries and Stakeholders
The division’s services are delivered to a broad range of clients:
- Smallholder farmers and fisherfolk
- Farmer cooperatives and associations
- Youth agri-entrepreneurs and startup ventures
- Women-led agribusinesses and Indigenous People’s (IP) groups
- Local government units and barangay-based food security units
The programs emphasize inclusivity, sustainability, and youth engagement.
Operational Structure and Capabilities
DA-RFO 4A operates through provincial field units and a core regional office in Lipa City. Key capabilities include:
- Enterprise capacity-building across agribusiness value chains
- KADIWA market operations, including mobile KADIWA and e-commerce adaptation
- Packaging, labeling, and product compliance support
- Investment proposal evaluation and linkage services
Collaborations with DTI, DOST, and TESDA further enhance the division’s service delivery.
Impact and Performance Highlights
According to DA-RFO 4A’s published reports and the 2022 AMAD Booklet:
- Facilitated ₱239 million worth of agri-products traded through KADIWA ni Ani at Kita between 2020–2022
- Supported 450+ farmer cooperatives and MSMEs annually in enterprise development and market integration
- Assisted over 15,000 beneficiaries in accessing training, food passes, and trade facilitation services
- Introduced e-KADIWA platforms and integrated logistics systems during pandemic lockdowns
- Enabled value addition and market access for flagship CALABARZON commodities such as Batangas coffee, Lucban longganisa, and Laguna tilapia
These achievements demonstrate the region’s capacity to adapt to changing market conditions and policy environments.
Governance and Compliance
DA-RFO 4A adheres to:
- Commission on Audit (COA) regulations
- DBM budgetary guidelines
- DA’s national agribusiness and market development frameworks
- Cross-cutting compliance on GAD, IP inclusion, and climate-resilient agriculture
Programs are monitored through results-based evaluation systems and interagency reviews.
Recognition and Community Feedback
AMAD RFO 4A has been recognized for:
- Rapid mobilization of agri-logistics during COVID-19
- Empowering women and youth agripreneurs through business incubation programs
- Facilitating locally sourced supply chains for LGU procurement, significantly raising local farm incomes
Testimonials from cooperatives cite increased enterprise confidence, improved branding, and expanded distribution channels due to AMAD’s interventions.
Major Achievements
- Launched regional agri-investment forums, resulting in ₱100+ million in committed agri-enterprise funding
- Established Farmers' Market Hubs and Mobile KADIWA stores across Batangas, Quezon, and Cavite
- Supported the expansion of coffee enterprises in Tanauan and Lipa, with farmers reporting a 30% increase in average sales
- Facilitated entry of CALABARZON agri-products into institutional markets, including school feeding and government food programs
With its robust enterprise support systems, market intelligence, and regional logistics coordination, AMAD RFO 4A is a cornerstone of agribusiness innovation in Southern Luzon, driving inclusive growth and agricultural modernization.