A bountiful harvest in calamity-hit areas

What happens when a strong typhoon wipes out your crops and all but destroys your farm? You plant again, but maybe – just like the policy of building back better – you can do it better this time. And there are people who will help you.

In 2007, SM Foundation launched the first  Kabalikat sa Kabuhayan farmers’ training program, a season-long dual technology training in high-value crops in vegetable and fruit farming intended to provide updated agricultural technology to participant farmers in Bacolod. Its main goal is to provide food on the table and additional income to the marginalized farmers. 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 in partnership with Harbest Agribusiness Corporation, the Department of Agriculture, Department of Social Welfare and Development, local government units and non-government organizations. 

To date, SM has conducted 64 farmers’ training programs, the latest three launched recently in typhoon-stricken areas in Zambales, Iloilo and Silay City to provide the communities with alternative livelihood, as most of the farmers cultivated rice and coconut which were devastated by the typhoons.

Inspired by the success of previous Kabalikat sa Kabuhayan training programs, local government officials from the participating municipalities attended the launching program and ceremonial transplanting of seeds.

The program is expected to be brought to other typhoon-stricken areas in Samar, Leyte and Cebu soon.

In Zambales, the 62nd  batch of Kabalikat sa Kabuhayan farmers training program was attended by 165 participants that included 50 4P’s beneficiaries from DSWD’s Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program from 19 barangays of Botolan. Site of the training was Barangay Bancal, Botolan. 

Mayor Doris Maniquiz of Botolan was the special guest for the launching activity. She expressed her gratitude that “big corporations like SM Foundation are giving back to communities by funding trainings like this.”

Cristie Angeles, AVP for Livelihood and Outreach Program of SM Foundation, led the turnover and transplanting of seedlings to mark the start of the training program.

For Kabalikat sa Kabuhayan Lambunao, Iloilo, the recent launching program was held with Mayor Reynor Gonzales in attendance.

Two hundred nine farmers registered for the training program. The demo farm is located in Barangay Pandan, Lambunao, a 5,000-square meter farm owned by the local government.

Meanwhile, in Silay City,  Mayor Jose Montelibano attended the 64th batch of Kabalikat sa Kabuhayan launching program at the Silay Outdoor Recreation and Eco-tourism Area in Barangay Patag, with 250 participants. 

Many of the farmers who finished the training program are now successfully replicating what they learned in their own farmlots. To meet the increased demand for their produce, some farmers have formed cooperatives. Still others have ventured into agribusiness, becoming regular suppliers to supermarkets.

Not only new crops but new lives have sprung up in these farms.