Farmers’ training program launched in Pampanga

MANILA, Philippines - The 81st batch of Kabalikat sa Kabuhayan Farmers Training Program launched in Brgy. San Agustin, Betis, Guagua, Pampanga last Jan. 16 attracted 200 small scale farmers from neighboring barangays and municipalities, including residents of Villa Santiago, a village built by the Rotary Club of Loyola Heights for marginalized families. Seventy-two families residing in the  village are also Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program beneficiaries.

 Aside from Cristie Angeles of SMFI and Toto Barcelona of Harbest, also present were: Mayor Dante Torres of Guagua, Pampanga; Lilia Ediza, senior project development officer, DSWD – Region III; Arch. Paul Angel Galang, president, Rotary Club of Loyola Heights; Engr. Bong David, project chairperson, Rotary Club of Loyola Heights;  Kenneth San Diego, store manager, Savemore Guagua; and  Lana Erroba, mall manager, SM San Fernando downtown.

A ceremonial turnover and transplanting, a tradition in every KSK-FTP launch was undertaken culminating with a testimonial of Nestor Garcia, a graduate of the 2008 KSK training program in Sta. Rita, Pampanga and president of the Lambak Vegetable Growers Association.

Garcia organized the association upon graduating from the program, set up a communal farm together with his fellow graduates and applied what they learned. A few months after the group organization, they were able to supply vegetables to Kenny Rogers, a famous restaurant chain in the country. Now, they are suppliers to different public markets in Region III. Garcia was awarded Outstanding Agrarian Reform Beneficiary – National Level for his initiative to promote organic vegetable farming.

Garcia boasts of being able to send his children to college through vegetable farming. With the Department of Agriculture, Garcia continues to attend agricultural technology trainings in order to learn and improve his skills. He shares what he learns through lectures and demonstrations to small-scale farmers from different municipalities in the region. He said he is proud that KSK-FTP became a foundation for him to achieve his dream for his children and improve the life of his family.