BAGUIO CITY (PIA) — Three local farmers’ groups in Benguet and Baguio City are poised to help boost the community’s economy following the successful completion of their 14-week organic agriculture training.
The 72 beneficiaries of the Kabalikat sa Kabuhayan on Sustainable Agriculture Program(KSK-SAP) were
awarded training certificates during their graduation ceremony held at SM Baguio City recently.
Composed of three batches, the graduates hail from different areas with 22 individuals from Tuba, and 25 from
Sablan in Benguet, and 25 from barangay Happy Hallow in Baguio City.
The KSK-SAP, a collaboration between the SM Foundation, Inc. and some line agencies, aims to enhance the
entrepreneurial and farming skills of rural and urban farmers.
This program, founded in 2007, has provided positive impacts in the lives of more than 30,000 marginalized
farmers.
During the ceremony, representatives from each batch presented their business plans which were culled out during their training.
With this, the Cordillera regional offices of the Department of Agriculture, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Trade and Industry, Department Science and Technology, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, and the Philippine Information Agency declared their unwavering support for the graduates, and presented available programs from their respective agencies.
Local government units of the beneficiaries collectively voiced appreciation to the agencies for their help to the project which will greatly help the farmers in various ways.
The beneficiaries expressed gratitude for the program, and assured that they apply their learnings.
“Sa mga andito na ahensya at saka ang SM, marami pong salamat sa inyong lahat. Sa mga kasama kong mga trainees o graduates, sana ipagpatuloy natin ang mga natutunan natin” Amado Otong, a beneficiary from Bayabas, Sablan said.
Fresh agricultural products of the beneficiaries were also sold during the event. (JDP/CVBT-PIA CAR)
DOST-CAR Regional Director Nancy Bantog expresses gratitude to SM Foundation for its support to the farmers. The KSK-SAP, she said, shows the positive impact of private and government partnership in helping the farmers.(CVBT-PIA CAR)
