Farmers in the municipality of Kapangan consisting of 50 individuals upgrade their farming techniques through the Kabalikat Sa Kabuhayan on Sustainable Agriculture Program (KSK-SAP) to improve and increase their harvests as well as provide organic food for their families.
The farmers composed the 219th batch who have successfully graduated from the KSK-SAP program last Monday October 26, 2020 at the Municipal Covered Court, Lomon, Paykek, Kapangan, Benguet.
For 6 weeks, the farmers were taught on effective backyard planting and small-scale farming techniques for fruits and vegetables.
The SM Foundation also assist farmers who form cooperatives by linking them to local markets and SM suppliers for a more stable source of income.
The program was a collaboration of SMFI with SM Supermalls, SM Markets, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Philippine Information Agency (PIA), St. Isidore The Farmer Learning Center Inc. (SITFLCI), and Provincial Government of Benguet and Local Government Unit of Kapangan.
Through a video message presented during the graduation ceremony, SM Foundation AVP for Outreach Programs Cristie Angeles congratulated the Kapangan farmers for completing the KSK-SAP program successfully and announced that the farmers are also equipped to be trainers with their SMFI KSK-SAP graduation certificate and TESDA National Certificate. “This graduation ceremony is not the end of our communication and connection with each other. We promise to continue raising up our farmers. We will adjust to the new normal and together we will prevail.” Angeles added.
Kapangan Mayor Hon. Manny Fermin also congratulates the graduates and expressed his gratitude to the SM Foundation Inc., LGUs, and the stakeholders who helped their farmers gain better opportunities.
“We congratulate the graduates for completing their 6-week program. We thank the national government, LGUs, SM Foundation, and the private sectors in nurturing and monitoring the progress of our farmers. The market opportunity of SM has given a great advantage for the farmers to extend their network and to ensure good production during this pandemic.” said during a speech written by DA-CAR Regional Director Dr. Cameron P. Odsey and delivered through DA-CAR Agricultural Production Coordinating Office (APCO) Gabriel Pacio.
The KSK-SAP is for agriculture sustainability and food security, and it aims to aid in creation of opportunities, skills or education enhancement, livelihood and employment. This is to uplift and empower the underprivileged farmers and it is part of the SM Foundation Inc. which has been serving different communities since 1983, focusing on social inclusion by nurturing and caring for those in need.
(OIC Joe Manzano, RPN DZBS Baguio)