In photo for the launch of SM Foundation Kabalikat sa Kabuhayan on Sustainable Agriculture Program Bacth 222-A at Arayat Pampanga are Big brother for Arayat Emily Francisco, St Isidore The Farmer Learning Center representative Marco Martin, TESDA Provincial Director Attorney Eric Ueda, SM Foundation Assistant Vice President for Livelihood and Outreach Program Christie Angeles, DTI Provincial Director Elenita Ordonio and SM City Pampanga Public Relations Manager Rain Cervantes.
SM Foundation Inc. helps bring back hope in farming by updating the agricultural knowledge of our farmers through SM Kabalikat sa Kabuhayan on Sustainable Agriculture Program. For 30 days, 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. to help small farmers scale up. Other partners are Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Pampanga State Agriculture University (PSAU), 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), Department of Trade and Industry and local government of Municipality of Arayat and Candaba with SM Markets, SM Supermalls.
In Pampanga, two launches of Batch 222 A & B with over a hundred participants are strictly selected from partner stakeholders, farm owners, local farmers and beneficiaries of 4Ps from the Arayat and Candaba. 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 Kabalikat sa Kabuhayan on Sustainable Agriculture Program 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.
