SM Foundation’s Kabalikat sa Kabuhayan Project Benefits 139 Botolan Farmers
A total of 139 farmers from Botolan Zambales graduated recently in SM Foundation’s “Kabalikat sa Kabuhayan” Farmers Training Program through SM City Olongapo in partnership with Harbest Agribusiness Corporation and cooperation with Botolan Municipal Agriculture Office, Zambales Provincial government and the Department of Social Welfare and Development Office.
The three-month training course that commenced last January aimed to provide a sustainable livelihood program to marginalized farmers, with once a week session which entails both classroom briefings on technology and actual field application.
SM Foundation provided the scholarship fund for teaching paraphernalia, food and planting implements while Harbest provided the technical support and trainors on high technology farming.
The DSWD, on the other hand, taught participants capability building and money management.
During the graduation ceremony, SM Foundation Inc. Asst. Vice President Cristie Angeles expressed her gratitude to the local folks of Botolan. “Nakatutuwa kasi unti-unti mabubuksan ang isipan na dapat pangalagaan ang kalikasan at sa pag aalaga nito magbibigay ng mas maraming pagkain sa kanila at the same time combined with modern technology, magkakaroon sila ng mas sustainable na pagkakakitaan.”
After the harvest festival and graduation, farmers had the chance to sell their produce products in the mall at a discounted price.
SM Foundation aims to help alleviate the plight of farmers by insuring continuous production even after graduation. The vast area of Sitio Duhok, Brgy Bancal in Botolan is suitable for the project because of its soil fertility and effective irrigation system.
“Malaking tulong po ang pagsasanay na ito sa amin, inaangat ninyo ang antas ng aming pamumuhay,” remarked Corazon Reyes, one of the trainees.
“Natutunan ko po na hindi lang pala basta–basta ang pagtatanim, may mga makabagong pamamaraan na rin na ginagawa upang makamit ang masaganang ani, salamat sa SM Foundation sa oportunidad na binigay nila,” said trainee Alvin Baluyot.
Botolan Mayor Doris Maniquiz lauded the efforts of SM companies in the introduction of the new farming technology.
Through SM Foundation’s KSK training program, more and more farmers are equipped with the modern agri technology.
The group is the 62nd batch of farmer-beneficiaries since it started last 2007 in Bacolod City.
The farmers underwent training on seed culture and propagation, irrigation, fertilizer application, pruning, and safe farming among others.(PR-SMOL)
