Jean Viñas, an SM Foundation (SMFI) Kabalikat Sa Kabuhayan farmer’s training program graduate in Taytay, Rizal, attribute to the said program her bountiful harvest which she sells in the market.
Jean finished the KSK training in 2019 under the Batch 207. She came from a family of farmers and even her two children also found their calling in the same field as they majored in agriculture in college.
SUSTAINABLE FARMING
Before attending the KSK training, ensuring her harvest during the rainy season was the biggest dilemma of Jean. After the training, she learned more about modern and sustainable farming technologies which helped overcome her biggest challenge in farming.
“Noong nalaman ko na may pa-training ang SM Foundation mula sa aming Municipal Agriculture Officer, ay madali akong nagpa-register. Sumali ako dahil gusto kong malaman ang mga makabagong technolohiya sa agrikultura na magagamit ko sa aming kabuhayan,” she shared.
“Natutunan ko ang mga modernong paraan sa pagtatanim na kahit maulan o may kalamidad ay may aanihin pa rin. Hindi ko malilimutan noong minsan ay bumagyo at bumaha sa aming lugar ay marami pa rin akong naani dahil ginamit ko ang mga natutunan ko sa programa,” Jean further added.
PROUD KSK GRADUATE
Jean expressed her gratitude to SMFI and the Sy family for the opportunity of enhancing her skills in agriculture. She narrated how she proudly shares to others where she learned those skills that helped her ensure a bountiful harvest despite any season.
“Napakalaki ng naitulong ng KSK sa akin at sa pamilya ko. Kahit nagtitinda ako sinasabi ko na nag-training ako sa SM Foundation. Kasi maraming nagtatanong kung paano at saan ko natutunan ang aking skillset,” Jean said.
At the height of the pandemic, Jean extended a helping hand to her community by giving free vegetables from their farm. She also distributed seeds that her neighbors may use in growing their own food at their own backyard or small space at home.
Moreover, Jean was tapped by her church to teach their members on backyard and container gardening.
SM’s Kabalikat Sa Kabuhayan (KSK) aims to bring modern and sustainable farming skills in both rural and urban communities to help farmers have food on their table and have potential economic opportunities. To date, the program has trained more than 28,100 farmers from more than 900 cities/municipalities nationwide.
