SM Foundation holds farmers’ training in Samar, Leyte

MANILA, Philippines - Calamity-stricken Guiuan, Eastern Samar and Tanauan, Leyte are the venues of Kabalikat sa Kabuhayan Farmers’ Training Programs launched recently by SM Foundation.

SM Foundation’s 70th batch of the Kabalikat sa Kabuhayan – Farmers Training Program  was launched last March 31 in Brgy. Cogon, Guiuan, Eastern Samar with 100 participants from  Cogon, Timala, Mayana, Banaag, Banahao, Cantahay, Bagua, Lupok, Hagna, Tagporo, Surok, Cagusu-an, Alingarog  and Camparang, as well as nearby municipalities of Mercedes and Salcedo.

Guiuan was one of the municipalities in Region VIII badly affected by Typhoon Yolanda which destroyed the town’s  main means of livelihood  - farming & fishing. To help in their recovery program, SM Foundation brought the Kabalikat sa Kabuhayan – Farmers Training Program to Guiuan, a program done in partnership with Harbest Agribusiness Corporation, that would  introduce advanced technology for the production of fruits, vegetables and high-value crops, as well as teach farmers  entrepreneurial skills, making them self sufficient.

The Department of Agriculture and Department of Social Welfare and Development, as well as the local government units were tapped to make the program successful and sustainable.

In Tanauan, Leyte, farmers  from Brgy.Pago ,  together with guest farmers from Barugo, Leyte started their 12-week-hands-on training on the cultivation of high value crops, fruits and vegetable farming.

The training would give the farmers opportunity for alternate livelihood inasmuch as coconut farms and rice paddies were completely devastated by the typhoon. Copra & palay (unhusked rice) are their main means of livelihood.

According to Cristie Angeles, SM AVP for livelihood, 127 farmers from 50 neighboring barangays in Tanauan, with 11 farmers from Barugo, Leyte attended the launching and  the orientation program given by Harbest Agribusiness Corp., president Toto Barcelona.

Started in 2007, Kabalikat sa Kabuhayan Farmers’ Training Program is a dual technology training in high-value crops, vegetable and fruit farming intended to provide updated agricultural technology to participants thereby empowering them, not only to earn more income but also to be self-sufficient in food. 

Funding for the training is provided by SM Foundation.

Harbest Agribusiness Corporation, a program partner ever since the training program was conceptualized, implemented the program in Bacolod City and  provides the manpower and specialists who impart modern techniques in farming in the lecture sessions. They also provide the seedlings used in the actual training at the demo farm provided by the local government. Capacity building and entrepreneurial skills are also incorporated in the training. The program includes provision for market linkages in cooperation with SM Food Group and Supermalls, the Department of Agriculture, DSWD,  LGUs and NGOs. 

Many of the farmers who finish the training program replicate what they learn in their own farm lots. To meet the increased demand for their produce, some farmers have formed cooperatives. Still others have ventured into agribusiness, becoming regular suppliers to supermarkets.