SM Foundation, Inc. headed by Cristie Angeles, AVP-Outreach has launched the 157th batch of Kabalikat sa Kabuhayan Farmers Training Program (KSK-FTP) in Barangay Payangan, Dinalupihan Bataan last January 26, 2018. Around 251 small scale farmers from neighboring barangays and municipalities including residents of Payangan registered in the said project.
Kabalikat sa Kabuhayan is a joint project of private and government agencies. This collaborative effort was initiated by SM Foundation with Harbest Agribusiness Corporation, the Department of Agriculture, Department of Social Welfare and Development and the local government units as project components.
The project assists the participants by providing them with alternatives to improve their day to day income through the production of high-value commercial crops like fruits and vegetables suited for their land; producing a bio-safe commodities through the use of plastic mulch, organic fertilizers and organic pesticides opens the market for organically produced vegetables and aimed at developing a market match for the vegetable farmers through SM and other supermarket chains.
The 12-week training program consists of lectures and hands-on training using the concept of the farmers field school, which is a group-based learning process that incorporates concepts and methods from agro-ecology, experiential education and community development.
Present during the launch were SMFI project partner Toto Barcelona of Harbest Agribusiness Corp; Dinalupihan Mayor Angela Garcia; Fidel Felipe of Municipal Agriculture Office; Ofelia Mendoza of Municipal Social Worker and Development Office; Councilor Danilo Dela Cruz -Chairman of Agriculture; Brgy. Chairman Ramir Fernando; Mark June Ariola- Training Instructor; Herbert Soriano- Savemore Dinalupihan Store Manager; and Ana Lorraine Azucena, SM Olongapo Asst. Mall Manager.