CLARK FREEPORT—SM Foundation Inc. (SMFI) has partnered with the Department of Agriculture (DA) to promote urban gardening through the “Kabalikat sa Kabuhayan (KSK) on Sustainable Agriculture."
The program is geared to support the government’s food security agenda and provide alternative livelihood opportunities.
It equips the trainees with modern planting techniques for improved and quality produce which their families may consume at home or sell as source of extra income.
The urban gardening will be implemented in 21 SM malls and to its communities.
Seven are in Metro Manila -- San Lazaro, Southmall, North EDSA, East Ortigas, Marikina, Fairview and Muntinlupa and 14 in provincial malls -- SM malls in Clark, Telabastagan, Urdaneta, Tuguegarao, Cauayan, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac City, Puerto Princesa, Naga City, Roxas City, Cebu City and General Santos City.
At least 25 participants were identified by the Department of Social Welfare Development, City Agriculture Office and Barangay Committee from each urban gardening site.
They will undergo a 14-week training on urban gardening.
SMFI will provide supplies for barangay demo garden and start-up home materials for the gardening trainees.
The program was launched at SM City Clark and SM City Telabastagan.
SM's other partners are Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Tourism (DOT), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Local Government Unit of City of San Fernando and the City Government of Mabalacat