Training programs for veggie farms launched

MANILA, Philippines - SM Foundation recently launched two Kabalikat sa Kabuhayan Farmers’ Training Program in Cebu, one in Quezon and another in Batangas.

In Daan Bantayan, a coastal municipality 130 kilometer north of Cebu, 113 marginalized farmers and Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries comprising the 77th batch of trainees attended the ceremonial turnover and transplanting of vegetable seedlings. Most of the participants are new to vegetable farming.

Their main source of income is fishing and fruit trees like coconut and banana. 

These, however,  were devastated by Super Typhoon Yolanda, thus, they had to look for alternative source of income.

In Santa Fe, one of the three municipalities in Bantayan Island, which was severely hit by Yolanda, 128 participants attended the launch of the training program.

Yolanda damaged the entire agricultural resources in the area and for several months, residents became dependent on the relief assistance.

Although casualties in the area were low, the calamity affected their source of livelihood.

Like the 77th batch of trainees, the farmers from Bantayan Island are new to vegetable farming and they welcome the farming techniques they will be getting from the training.

Santa Fe Mayor Jose B. Esgana expressed his gratitude to SM Foundation and its partners for bringing Kabalikat sa Kabuhayan to Santa Fe.

In Sitio Ulbok, Lutucan,  Sariaya,  Quezon, 161 participants from the municipalities of Sariaya  and Unisan gathered together with representatives from SM Foundation and Harbest Agribusiness Corp. and local government officials  for the ceremonial turnover, rolling of plastic mulch and transplanting of seedlings.

The participants were inspired by the presence of  Kenneth Pardo, a KSK graduate from previous training in Lucena, Quezon, who spoke about his experience in the training and how it helped him and his family.

According to him, the lessons he learned are very useful in his Kendrah Farm. He supplies vegetable and fruit seedlings to other farms.

In Batangas, 121 participants from Lipa City, Municipality of San Jose and Batangas City attended the launch.

There were also a few from Metro Manila (Quezon City and San Juan City) whose families have idle lands in Batangas they wanted to utilize for farming.

The demofarm being used in Brgy. Lumbang, Lipa City is owned by Gregorio “Nonoy” Dimayuga Jr., a KSK graduate last year.

He gave a testimonial on what he learned from the training and how it helped his family.