SM Foundation Inc. helps bring back hope in farming by updating the agricultural knowledge of our farmers through SM Farmers’ Training Program Kabalikat sa Kabuhayan (FTP-KSK). For 12 weeks, farmers are taught on effective farming techniques for fruits and vegetables focusing on producing marketable crops that aligned to SM Markets variety and specs. This helps improve the quality and quantity of their crops as well as provide organic food for their families.
The training is pattern to Big Brother – Small Brother scale wherein SM Foundation partner with big farm learning center like St Isidore The Farmer Learning Center Inc. with Sta Catalina Farm, Castro Tomas Agri-Techture and Mills Organic Farm to help small farmers scale up. Other partners are Pampanga State Agriculture University (PSAU), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Training Institute (DA-ATI), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Tourism (DOT), Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and local government of Municipality of Sta Ana, Arayat, Candaba, Masantol, Mexico, SM Markets, SM Supermall, and Harbest Agribusiness Corporation.
In Pampanga, the launch of Batch 216 with more than 200 participants are strictly selected from partner stakeholders, farm owners, local farmers and beneficiaries of 4Ps from the mentioned 5 municipalities as this is the pilot area in preparation for the Agri Center that will soon rise soon at St Isidore farm. Also part of the SM Farmer’s Training program is to develop the entrepreneurial skills of the small farmers. There will be a training – Regular KSK and TESDA Training for the same beneficiaries to further equip them with everything that will help in creating greater opportunities to help them uplift their lives.
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.
The foundation also assist farmers who form cooperatives by linking them to local markets and SM suppliers for a more stable source of income.
SM acknowledges its program partners Romeo Cordova of St. Isidore “The Farmer” Learning Center, Ma. Concepcion Arcega of Mills Organic Farm, Jhunn Castro of Castro Farm, Roger Mactal of Sta. Catalina Farm and Many Pangilinan of Pampanga State Agricultural University.
The SM Foundation Livelihood program is headed by Executive director Cristie Angeles with team SM City Pampanga Assistant Mall Manager Kay Chua, Senior Asst. Vice President of SM Markets Rey Del Valle and Harbest AgriBusiness Corp. President Arsenio Barcelona.
Gaining support from the local government units represented by each municipalities are Akemi Alejandrino of Arayat, Rey Montoya of Sta. Ana, Boboy Langap of Masantol and Thelma Macapagal of Candaba.
Government partners from Department of Agriculture, Department of Social Welfare and Development, TESDA, Department of Trade and Industry, DOST and Department of Tourism.
