TUBA, Benguet (PIA) — A sustainable agriculture convergence program among a private foundation, national government agencies, local government units and a non-government organization was launched recently in barangays Tabaan Sur in Tuba, and Pappa in Sablan, in the province of Benguet.
The Kabalikat sa Kabuhayan (KSK) on Sustainable Agriculture program is a holistic training program designed to prepare farmer beneficiaries in becoming productive and effective farmer entrepreneurs for agriculture sustainability and food security.
This was made possible through the convergence of SM Foundation Inc. (SMFI), the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), the Department of Agriculture (DA), the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), the Philippine Information Agency (PIA), and Lily of the Valley – as Partner training school, and in collaboration with the local government units of Tuba and Sablan.
The initiative aims to create opportunities, skills and education enhancement, livelihood and employment of the farmer-beneficiaries of the two municipalities through sustainable farming practices.
A total of 58 farmer- beneficiaries from the two municipalities will undergo a 14-week comprehensive training on sustainable farming to include land preparation, soil analysis, advance technology demonstrations, and business techniques which will equip them with knowledge and skills to contribute to local food production and security.
After completion of the 14-week training, the scholars will be provided a seed capital fund from the DSWD.
With their harvest, the farmers are given opportunities to create market linkages through the SM Food Group’s suppliers.Mr. and Mrs. Joy-anne Camacho of Sitio Calamay, Bayabas, Sablan, Benguet, who are among the 72 graduates of KSK program Batch 303, shared the impact of the program in their lives.
“Sa ilalim po ng pagtuturo ni Mrs. Lisa Laruan ng Lily of the Valley Organic Farm na siyang nagbigay ng training sa amin, marami po kaming natutunan tulad ng pagtatanim ng butil, paggawa ng compost na gagamitin namin sa pagtatanim ng organico. Naranasan din po naming magtinda ng aming sariling ani sa SM tulad ng pinya, alugbati, saging at french beans, at marami pang iba. Sa huli, ako po ay naniniwala sa kasabihan na ‘Kapag may Itinanim, May aanihin.’”
Sablan Mayor Alfredo Dacumos Jr. and Tabaan Sur Punong Barangay Suaking expressed their gratitude to the convergence of government agencies and private sector in bringing opportunities such as the improvement of skills and knowledge in organic farming to their own farmers.
Present at the launch were SM City Baguio Assistant Mall Manager Michael Jason Pena, Arlou Jee Roche Dalisay, RSW Project Supervisor, Lisa Laruan from the Lily of the Valley Organic Farm, and Barangay Pappa Punong Barangay Jordan Calado. Representatives from the other partner agencies were also present. **MAWC/PIA-CAR