SM Foundation Inc. helps bring back hope in farming by updating the agricultural knowledge of our farmers through the Kabalikat sa Kabuhayan Farmers’ Training Program. For 12 weeks, farmers are taught on effective backyard planting and small-scale farming techniques for fruits and vegetables. This helps improve the quality and quantity of their crops as well as provide organic food for their families. The foundation also assist farmers who form cooperatives by linking them to local markets and SM suppliers for a more stable source of income.
In Pampanga, Batch 190 started last January 22 in Barangay Eden in Mexico. Just recently, Batch 190 bear the fruits of the hard work through a Harvest Festival on Tuesday. Fun activities like a cook-off using freshly harvested produced from the farm with intermission numberx and parlor games.
Following the festival is a Graduation ceremony at The Event Center of SM City Pampanga with more than a hundred farmers who successfully completed the program.
Attending the festical and cermemony are Barangay Captain of Eden Ryan Cunanan, Municipal Agriculturist Cris Evangelista, DSWD III Regional Direcor Gemma Gabuya, Regioanl Program Coordinator for Sustainabe Livelihood Program VEnsie Vertugo with Ferdie Canlas, and TESDA III Regional Director Region 3 Dante Navarro. SM acknowledges its program partners from the Department of Agriculture, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Harbest Agribusiness Corporation, Municipality of Mexico, Municipal Agriculture Office and Macondray Plastics Products, Inc.
SM Foundation Farmers’ Training includes education on land preparation, lectures and follow up, Harvest festival, Supermarket tour, linking to market and assistance in forming cooperative groups.