Laoag farmers reap sustainable success with SM Foundation's training program
Since its inception in 2007, the SM Foundation’s Kabalikat sa Kabuhayan on Sustainable Agriculture program has been striving to help uplift farmers from vulnerable communities. The program recently celebrated the 14-week training of 100 farmers from Laoag.
Farmers in Laoag, Ilocos Norte, are breaking new ground with the support of SM Foundation’s Kabalikat sa Kabuhayan (KSK) on Sustainable Agriculture program. After a transformative 14-week training, they are now equipped with modern farming practices and entrepreneurial skills to face challenges and create opportunities in agriculture—a vital sector that continues to employ a quarter of the Filipino workforce and contributes significantly to the country’s economy.
Since its inception in 2007, the SM Foundation’s Kabalikat sa Kabuhayan (KSK) on Sustainable Agriculture program has been striving to help in uplifting farmers from vulnerable communities. The program has equipped farmers with modern farming techniques and entrepreneurial skills to boost their capabilities.
Among the recent graduates are 100 farmers from Laoag, Ilocos Norte. After completing a 14-week training program, they are now better prepared to address challenges and seize opportunities in the agricultural sector.
Representatives from SM Foundation, DSWD, and the government of Laoag City, Ilocos Norte turnover the P2 million seed capital that aims to enable the new KSK farmers to diversify their agribusiness. In photo are Ilocos Norte first district representative Sandro Marcos and SM Foundation AVP for livelihood and outreach Cristie Angeles.
Ferdinand Claro, one of the recent graduates, shared how the program has transformed their approach to farming. “Before KSK, we were simply reacting to problems as they came—no plan, no strategy. Floods and strong winds would wipe out what little we had during typhoons,” he said.
The training covered sustainable farming techniques such as organic practices, crop rotation, and climate-resilient strategies, alongside essential business skills like financial literacy, bookkeeping, and marketing.
