SM Foundation Inc., in cooperation with HARBEST Abribusiness Corporation, the Department of Agriculture, DSWD and the City of Silay ended a three-month training program for 167 farmer-students with a graduation ceremony held at SM City Bacolod, a press release from the mall said.

The training, conducted by HARBEST, was held at a demo farm in Brgy. Patag, Silay City.

It is a season-long module to train small scale farmers on the commercial production of high-value crops such as vegetables and fruits.

Dubbed “KabalikatsaKabuhayan,” the program was aimed to empower farmers on improved and doable agricultural technology, specifically in organic farming, the press release said.

SMFI and HARBEST have jointly implemented KSK Projects all over the Philippines for the past seven years and Brgy. Patag, Silay City is the 64th batch adopted into the program, the press release said.

The first ever KSK training was launched in Brgy. Handumanan, Bacolod City in 2007, a project tie-up with the Negros Economic Development Foundation, the press release said.

At the graduation rites, Mayor Jose Montelibano, through his representative Andrew Javelona, congratulated the batch for their hard work and dedication in completing the course. He also acknowledged the program's valuable contribution to the city's pursuit of sustainable development and to the organic movement advocated in the province, the press release also said.

The diplomas were given to the graduates by SMFI assistant vice president Cristie Angeles.

She said that she looks forward to the graduates being active in the supply chain that would have their products sold through the SM Food Group, including SM Supermarket, Savemore and SM Hypermarket and other markets.

The KSK is funded by SMFI with support from the Department of Agriculture, Department of Social Welfare and Development, the press release added.*

back to top