CLARK FREEPORT -- The SM Foundation Inc. (SMFI) has provided numerous opportunities for farmers under its Kabalikat Sa Kabuhayan on Sustainable Agriculture (KSK).
The program was created in the belief that food security can be achieved by helping the grassroots communities achieve a competitive and viable agricultural enterprise, which in turn greatly contributes to the maintenance of a thriving rural economy.
Under the KSK program, farmers are provided with training on modern farming technologies that would help them produce and sustain bountiful harvests.
The participants are also given KSK Agri Starter Kits, which include vegetable seeds and other farm implements, which are enough to cultivate a 100-square-meter land space for their agri-plot assignments.
In addition to the agri-technology training, farmer-graduates are also provided with market linkages to help in boosting their social enterprises, which in turn provide economic opportunities in their respective areas.
KSK farmers recently participated at the SM KSK Trade Fair, a two-day monthly sales exhibit initiated by the SMFI and SM Supermalls.
During the fair, KSK participants are given a chance to experience institutional selling by providing them with an avenue to sell their produce -- which were planted and harvested using their agri starter kits, to the mall goers.
These produce, composed of vegetables and fruits are cultivated in their backyards or small farm lots. Proceeds from the sale are used by the participants for their next cropping and to sustain their household expenses.
The trade fair was in partnership with the Department of Agriculture (DA), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).
In addition to the KSK participants, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) affected by the pandemic were also invited to the trade fair to help them bounce back. The fair also served as a venue for partner government agencies to inform the public about their program thrust and services.
Recent KSK Trade Fairs were held at SM City Baguio, SM City Cabanatuan, SM Center Dagupan, SM City Pampanga, SM Nueva Ecija, SM City Olongapo Central and SM City Iloilo.