The SM Foundation has launched the Kabalikat Sa Kabuhayan on Sustainable Agriculture Program (KSK-SAP) batch 219 last March 4, 2020 for Benguet farmers at the Municipal Covered Court in Kapangan, Benguet.
The KSK-SAP is a holistic training program designed to prepare its farmer participants in becoming productive and effective farmer entrepreneurs through the convergence of SM Foundation Inc. (SMFI), 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), Provincial Government of Benguet and Local Government Unit of Kapangan.
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.
The demo farm site where the program is expected to have 100 farmer participants is located in Bentres Farm, Bantayan, Datakan, Kapangan, Benguet.
Mayor Manny Fermin of Kapangan expressed his gratitude to SM Foundation for choosing the said municipality in conducting the training program for the farmers. This is one way to encourage the farmers to improve their skills in farming and hoping that they will produce quality and high yielding crops soon after joining the training program.
SM Foundation’s AVP for Outreach Programs Cristie Angeles advised the farmers to complete the training program for about three months and they will graduate in a ceremony to be held in SM City Baguio sometime in June. Also, she added that the farmers will get a chance to tour SM Supermarket and explore bigger opportunities to meet with SM suppliers who are potential buyers of their harvest.
The Kabalikat Sa Kabuhayan (KSK) Farmers Training Program started in 2006, when Mr. Henry Sy Sr. envisioned a sustainable program that would uplift the living standards of poor Filipino farmers as his way of giving back to the community.
By Jessica Joy A. Fernando
KAPANGAN PROJECT – The SMFI and project partners present their bell pepper seedlings for the farmers of Benguet during their Kabalikat sa Kabuhayan program held at the Municipal Covered Court, Lomon, Paykek, Kapangan, Benguet last March 4, 2020. Photo shows (L-R) OIC PIA Benguet Information Agency Susan Aro, DA ARPO Gabriel Pacio, SM City Baguio Asst. Mall Manager John Paul Arnaiz, Hon. Councilor Andrew Bentres, DA Central Office Gerard Arañas, DA Central Office Enrique Dela Cruz, Kapangan Mayor Manny Fermin, SM Foundation AVP for Outreach Programs Cristie Angeles, DSWD CAR Regional Director Leo Quintilla, SM North Luzon PR Manager Karren Nobres, SM Markets Senior AVP for Operations Reynaldo del Valle, SM Markets Julie Hermogeno, Save More La Trinidad Store Manager Kathelene Bagaoisan, and SM Supermarket Baguio Store Manager Charles Digo.
