ZAMBOANGA CITY (PIA) – Around 90 farmers from Barangays Culianan, Cabaluay, Lanzones, and Salaan graduated from the Kabalikat sa Kabuhayan (KSK) Farmer’s Training on Sustainable Agriculture, a program of SM Foundation, equipped with new skills aimed at boosting local agriculture and food security.
The “Moving Up” ceremony, organized with the support of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), and the City Agriculturist’s Office, celebrated weeks of intensive training for local farmers on sustainable and resilient farming practices.
The program aims to support small farmers in improving their productivity and income through modern agricultural techniques.
Among the graduates, farmer Glorypee Marcial shared how the training taught her practical skills to maximize her land and support her family, “the training taught me modern farming techniques and how to maximize the fields. I feel empowered to apply these skills, and I am hopeful for a better future for my family and the association we built,” she added.
Ludivina Andico, another graduate, expressed gratitude for the newfound confidence she gained to grow her own produce and explore market opportunities, “I was hesitant at first, but now I have the confidence to grow my own produce and even explore market opportunities. The program has truly changed my life,” she said.
A key moment of the event included the turnover of financial support from DSWD’s Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP), aimed at helping graduates sustain and expand their farming efforts.
The KSK program initiated by the SM Foundation, facilitated by the collaboration of national and local agencies, continues to focus on building a self-sustaining agricultural sector in Zamboanga City, empowering farmers with the tools and knowledge needed to thrive. (EDT/MLE/PIA Region 9-Zamboanga City/With reports from SM City Mindpro)
