SOME two hundred Fernandino farmers, including the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) beneficiaries from neighboring barangays and municipalities, were trained for Rural Farmers’ Training under the Kabalikat sa Kabuhayan (KSK) program of the SM Foundation Inc. at the Hansel Farm in Barangay Maimpis. Last April 24 the farmers held its harvest festival.
The SM Foundation’s KSK program, which was launched on January 24, which aims to help farmers improve their skills and knowledge on farming and harvesting by giving them a season-long training.
This is also in partnership with the Harbest Agribusiness Corporation, Department of Agriculture, and Department of Social Welfare and Development.
SM Foundation AVP for Outreach Programs Cristie Angeles said the participants will undergo a 12-week training on backyard planting, new techniques in farming methods, harvesting fruits, vegetables and other crops.
“Ito na yung pang 156 batch ng KSK, kung saan sila ay tuturuan sa tamang pagtatanim ng mga iba’t-ibang klase ng gulay na makikita sa isang pinakbet dish. Sa ganitong paraan ay natutulungan natin sila upang tumaas ang kanillang produksyon para guminhawa ang kanilang pamumuhay. Tutulungan din sila ng SM Foundation na i-market ang kanilang mga produkto,” Angeles said.
Meanwhile, City Agriculture and Veterinary Officer Cristina Sangumay expressed her gratitude to SM Foundation for conducting this outreach program in the City of San Fernando.
“Dito sa City of San Fernando, sila na yung pangalawang batch natin na maswerteng naging bahagi sa training na ito, kasi napakalaking tulong po nito sa mga Fernandino farmers at 4Ps beneficiaries dahil ito ang kanilang ikinabubuhay. Sa pamamagitan nito ay madadagdagan ang kanilang kaalaman sa pagtatanim na maaari nilang gamitin sa kanilang pagsaka upang mas dumami ang kanilang ani,” Sangumay said.
In an interview with SM City Pampanga PR Manager Ms. Rain Cervantes said, “When the program started SM City Pampanga was the fi rst batch. With now batch 156 bumalik si SM foundation sa City of San Fernando. “Sa mga naunang batch namomonitor pa rin namin sila. Like Sir Marcelino who was trained again, but he is now more on assisting us their new trainess.
“And yung mga supplies niya, I believe sa pandan niya ibinabagsak. Pero marami po tayo sa mga farmers na nag-aassist sa atin, galing sa SM Foundation.”
