MANILA, Philippines - Two batches of farmer participants to SM Foundation’s Kabalikat sa Kabuhayan Farmers’ Training Program finished the season-long training recently.
Members of the 62nd batch held a harvest festival at Barangay Bancal, Botolan, Zambales prior to their graduation the following day at SM City Olongapo Cinema 2.
The 139 graduates from Zambales had the opportunity to talk with the SM Food Group and their suppliers during the Buyers’ Forum, aimed to establish the link between the farmers and the market.
The farmers were also given pointers to upscale their production to meet market demand.
The occasion was graced by local government officials led by Botolan mayor Doris E. Maniquiz-Jeresano, municipal agriculturist Ramon Dolojan, project development officer of DSWD-Region III Ferdie Canlas, SM Foundation assistant vice president for livelihood Cristie Angeles, Harbest Agribusiness Corp. president Arsenio Barcelona, SM City Olongapo PR manager Nette Mortel and representatives from SM Food Group led by Rommel Escasa, store manager of SM Supermarket and Vic Pondevida, assistant store manager of Savemore Iba.
In Iloilo, 230 farmers finished their training and held a harvest festival at Barangay Pandan, Lambunao. The farmers comprised the 63rd batch of trainees. They come from neighboring municipalities: Pototan, Badiangan, Bingawan, Cabatuan and the host municipality, Lambunao. Iloilo – areas affected by Typhoon Yolanda in November 2013.
Lambunao Mayor Reynor R. Gonzales led the guests in congratulating the new graduates in graduation ceremonies held at SM City Iloilo Event Center.
The guests, aside from SM Foundation’s Cristie Angeles and Harbest’s Arsenio Barcelona included D. Ildefonso T. Toledo, provincial agriculturist of Iloilo; Larry S. Nacionales, executive director, Department of Agriculture Region VI, project development officer for sustainable livelihood, DSWD-FO VI Rose S. Semillano, assistant mall manager, SM City Iloilo Gilbert Domingo and SM Food Group representatives.
Kabalikat sa Kabuhayan Farmers’ Training Program is a continuous livelihood program of SM Foundation that aims to help marginal farmers increase their productivity and improve the quality of their produce.
They are also given training in basic accounting and entrepreneurship.
It has benefitted small farmers, some of whom are now vegetable suppliers of supermarkets while others have started their own businesses.