SM Foundation continues to train farmers nationwide to help them improve their family income with the cultivation of high yielding vegetables either through intercropping or planting during off-season of their main crops like rice or corn. The 44th batch of the Kabalikat sa Kabuhayan (KSK) – Farmers Training Program of SM Foundation, Inc. (SMFI) was launched recently in Lucena City to help farmers in Sitio Lilay, Brgy. Ibabang Talim, Lucena City and from other municipalities in Quezon such as Sariaya, Tayabas and Pagbilao and from different barangays of Lucena City namely Ibabang Talim, Ilayang Talim, Ibabang Dupay, Ibabang Iyam, Isabang, Sto. Cristo, Bignay 1, Gulang-gulang, Mayao Crossing, Silangang Mayao, Dalahican and Domoit. Marven Paul Mecate of SMFI facilitated the orientation for the training participants.

Harbest Agribusiness Corp. a partner of SM Foundation in its livelihood programs, provides the technology that former farmer trainees have replicated in their respective farms. It also provides the high-quality seeds from Taiwan that are used in the farms. Its expertise in agriculture has been a boost to the Foundation’s program. 

When the program was launched in Bacolod City in 2007, some farmer trainees were not as successful in putting into practice what they learned. They were hampered by several factors including their financial capacity and little knowledge in the management of their financial resources. To solve the problem, SM Foundation has added basic accounting in the training conducted by BDO volunteers. So far, the outcome has been very promising. Many farmer trainees have expanded their farm lots and ventured into agribusiness. These training programs have been successful in Cavite, Cebu, Laguna, Davao, Benguet & Pampanga where farmers have formed cooperatives to qualify as suppliers of SM supermarkets/hypermarts/SaveMore stores.