SM TRAIN FARMERS AND DUMAGATS IN BULACAN


by Eloisa Samonte-Silverio
Bulacan Provincial Director Jovencio M. Ferrer Jr. presented the SM Foundation’s Kabalikat sa Kabuhayan Dumagat graduates during the graduation rites held in Sitio Sapangmunti, Brgy San Mateo, Norzagaray, Bulacan. Despite the pandemic, SM Foundation (SMFI), through its Kabalikat Sa Kabuhayan on Sustainable Agriculture program (KSK SAP), stretches its efforts to reach the marginalized farmers from grassroots communities by bringing advanced and sustainable farming techniques to promote agri-preneurship. SM Foundation was able equipped 25 Dumagat farmers with competitive farming skills that are certified by TESDA. KSK graduation rites was graced by TESDA Regional Director Balmyrson Valdez and National Commission on Indigenous Peoples Bulacan Head Regina Panlilio and SM City Marilao’s Mall Manager Emmanuel Gatmaitan and Assistant Mall Manager Janette Aguilera.

DESPITE the challenges presented by the pandemic, 50 farmers completed SM Foundation’s Kabalikat sa Kabuhayan on Sustainable Agriculture program (KSK SAP) that was launched last July 14, 2021 in Bulacan.

Farmers-graduates batch 226 were equipped with advanced and sustainable farming techniques for fruits, vegetables as well as high value crops that hopes to create agri-enterprise opportunities in communities. The training which transpired for 14 weeks was conducted on-site and via learning modules that are certified by Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).

Unlike the previous KSK SAP program held in the province, batch 226 was divided to into two groups to enrich the on-site application skillset and to strengthen trainee’s experiential learning. This method enable the program to scale up, reach more people and increase impact of interventions through multi-stakeholder approach.

Beneficiaries of the program include 25 members of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), and farmers in Barangay Biak na Bato, in San Miguel Bulacan and 25 participants composed of members of the Indigenous Community in Sitio Sapangmunti, Brgy San Mateo, Norzagaray, Bulacan.

“Maraming salamat po sa SM dahil marami kaming natutuhan sa programa (KSK-SAP) para sa aming ikauunlad” shares Sitio Sapangmunti Dumagat Chieftain Mario Cruz.

SM Foundation’s Kabalikat sa Kabuhayan aims to uplift the lives of farmers and communities in grassroots areas through sustainable agriculture, technology transfer, product development, and farm-market linkage by partnerships with different agencies. Program partners are Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DWSD), St Isidore The Farmer Learning Center Inc. Local Government Units of San Miguel and Norzagaray. The KSK SAP was also made possible through the support of SM City Marilao and SM City Baliwag.

“Sana po ma-replicate ito (programang KSK) sa ibang indigenous community” says National Commission on Indigenous Peoples Bulacan Head Regina Panlilio

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