SM Foundation’s farming program sows change, reaps growths

From a simple vision of providing food on the table, the Kabalikat sa Kabuhayan (KSK) program of SM Foundation has evolved into a diversified program empowering farmers to become entrepreneurs.

What started in 2007 was more than just a livelihood initiative. It was Tatang Henry Sy Sr.’s dream to uplift the spirit, livelihood, and lives of farmers, recalled Cristie Angeles, SM Foundation AVP for Livelihood and Outreach Programs. “It was the dream of Tatang [Mr. Henry Sy, Sr.]  to uplift the spirit, the livelihood, and the lives of farmers.”

Under the program, farmers received training in plot preparation, seedling transplantation, cultivation of high-value crops, and organic fertilizer preparation. They were also taught sustainable farming techniques, including crop rotation, climate-resilient strategies, financial literacy, bookkeeping, and marketing.

The foundation worked with different partners to equip farmers with skills training, business know-how, and livelihood support. Its goal was to transform them into entrepreneurs who can independently manage and market their produce.

Today, the program is being expanded to include diversified farming, which opens opportunities in vegetables, aquaculture, poultry, and livestock.

Among its partners is the St. Isidore The Farmer Learning Center.

Engr. Romy Cordova, head of the learning center shared that the center has six agriculturists dedicated to training farmers. He highlighted the importance of teamwork and consistent practices and shared that team-building activities play a key role in strengthening collaboration.

Farmers also have the option to bring their harvests to the center, which helps distribute their produce to markets, including SM Markets.

Abelardo Venzon of Arayat, Pampanga is among the KSK farmers who trained at the St. Isidore Learning Center.

A rice farmer and cooperative member, he joined the training program where they planted various crops and learned modern techniques, including making organic fertilizer. With his rice land limited to one harvest a year and unstable prices, he turned to vegetable farming for a better income.

After training at St. Isidore, he applied his knowledge to his nephew’s idle land, earning more and being grateful for the lessons on marketing his produce.

Another KSK graduate is former Overseas Filipino Worker Ferdinand Claro from Laoag City.

According to Claro, one of the lessons he learned is to first know the area one will be using so one can arrange the vegetables to be planted.

“Karamihan sa mga farmers, basta-basta lang ang pagtatanim. Sa KSK, natutunan ko ang iba’t ibang techniques, kagaya ng lang ng tamang spacing,” he said.

In the training, he also learned how to plot and to use plastic mulch to minimize the growth of grass and prevent rapid evaporation of the moisture. They also learned how to make organic fertilizers and insect repellent, which greatly lessens production costs.

To date, 60 associations have been established by program graduates.

With over 32,000 graduates since its inception, it’s currently expanding, managing 80 sites across 22 provinces. For 2025, the foundation is targeting to train 2,000 farmer-beneficiaries.