Farmers Training Program with SM Foundation Inc.

Kabalikat sa Kabuhayan Farmers Training Program (KSK-FT) is a program by SM Foundation Inc., that provides local farmers with more effective ways of producing high quality and quantity fruits and vegetables. According to SM Foundation Inc., the program is just like a backyard farming. The only difference is that it is generated and enhanced by new technology to help these farmers produce higher yield with less physical effort.  It is a 12- step program that lasts at least 14 weeks that includes teaching local farmers how to culture seed, propagate, irrigate and fertilizer application.

The Kabalikat sa Kabuhayan Farmers Training Program Batch 43 is a joint undertaking of SM Foundation and local government of General Santos, Department of Agriculture and private sectors.

In General Santos City, SM Foundation has begun its 43rd Batch of KSK-FT in Barangay Ligaya. It aims to empower farmers in the city through 14-week long training on an improved and doable agricultural technology for the efficient and effective production of vegetables and fruits. The training was launched last June 7, 2012 at HING YI Coco Husk Processing Plant, Reyes Farm at Barangay Ligaya, this City. The training program is expected to cater 100 or more small farmer trainees.

CEREMONIAL TURN-OVER OF SEEDLINGS

In behalf of the City Mayor Honorable Darlene Magnolia R. Antonino-Custodio, the Chairperson on Committee on Food & Agriculture Hon. Eduardo D. Leyson IV headed the ceremonial turn-over of seedlings with City Agriculturist Ms. Merlinda Donasco, AVP-Operations (Vis-Min) SCMC Ms. Debbie Go and Ms. Joy Misterio.

The training program is composed of technical briefing, lecture and hands-on field practice from the basic agricultural technology, proper farm management, disease diagnosis and control, accounting principles in farm management, post harvest handling technology and marketing principles and last but not the least a harvest festival with graduation ceremony.

seedlings

SM Foundation Inc. is one with the Local Government of GenSan's mission of giving local farmers assistance in pursuing their dream of alleviating their agricultural economic status and attaining agricultural sustainability through the technological knowledge that the training program will provide them.

The Reyes Farm, which serves as the training site of the local farmerslocated at National Highway, Barangay ligaya this City is a fertile land. It is much accessible to the farmers as well as to trainees and with water readily available. The farmer trainees should come on time for the training sessions and should attend all schedules. Four absences will automatically disqualify the farmer trainee for graduation rites.

The Kabalikat sa KabuhayanFarmers Training Program is financed by SM Foundation Inc., as well as the harvest festival. While the training program will be supervised by the Harbest Agribusiness Corporation headed by the President Mr. Arsenio Barcelona. Harbest Agribusiness Corporation is a seed corporation that provides farm inputs such as seeds, fertilizers, fungicides and plastic mulch.