Kabalikat Sa Kabuhayan

Every time I see greens, mountains, seas, farmlands and the scenic beauty that it brings, my day immediately brightens up. I am drawn to God's magnificence through connecting with nature and by seeing the humble people that plows our land - the Farmers. Maybe because my grandfather was a farmer and I lived in a house with rice patties in front and a healthy river in our backyard when growing up. Today, that's gone, the farm has been converted to residences, while the former healthy river has been transformed to a polluted waterway with wastes from piggeries, factories and residences. I hope the next generations can still experience the days I cherish from my memories, not anymore from my childhood place but from other places in the country that still boast of nature's beauty.

Other things that brighten my day are inspirational down-to-earth people and institutions that make a difference by contributing to the welfare of our farmers. One of these are the collaborative efforts of SM foundation and Harbest Agribusiness of Toto Barcelona - called the KSK or Kabalikat Sa Kabuhayan.

Ceremonial transplanting to launch the 48TH KSK batch at Mongkayo, Compostela Valley. Farmers training program of SM Foundation implemented with HARBEST, DA and DSWD. 


Harbest has been training farmers for 14 years. The KSK is on its 6th year now and on its 47th batch of the season long training module, graduating 5,000+ farmers and agricultural technicians from LGUs. Trainees come from communities in provinces where there are SM Malls. They are learning to produce high quality vegetables with SM Supermarkets as a ready market. The farmer trainees are scholars and don't pay anything.

Third training session taken in Lux Mundi Farm in Murcia, Negros Occidental. Transplanting of melon, watermelon and squash seedlings on properly prepared plots.

 

The 130 trainees coming from Lux Mundi Farm are grouped into 5. Each group has around 25-30 members under a group leader. Each has specific plots to take care and the members support each other to learn the lessons.


The training modules lasts for three months with a weekly session. Trainees attend lectures and hands-on practice on the various stages of vegetable production. On the third month when crops are ready for harvesting a Harvest Festival is enjoyed by the KSK participants. This kind of endeavor is truly fitting for "share for the greater good" qualities. More power KSK!