Farming futures

While modern agricultural methods enhance productivity for certain individuals, a significant portion of Filipino farmers continue to face challenges in keeping up. These seasoned farmers are finding it difficult to meet the demands of a market that increasingly requires higher yields, relying on traditional yet often ineffective techniques handed down through generations.

Jayson Garcia, a farmer from Pampanga, recognized the need to challenge this prevailing situation within his own family. Understanding that he must carve out a new path for his farm, he embarked on a journey of innovation to ensure competitiveness in the swiftly changing environment of modern agriculture.

“Noon, mahirap ang magtanim,” he recalled their life before joining SM Foundation’s Kabalikat sa Kabuhayan. “Para bang tsambahan, basta pag itinanim mo ‘yan, hintayin mo na lang mamunga. Mas mahirap pa lalo kapag nagkaroon ng kalamidad,” he added.

SM Foundation’s training program focused on high-value crop cultivation was the breakthrough Garcia needed to revitalize his farming techniques. These included selecting the best seeds and caring for them as well as strategic planting schedules.

The livelihood program also gave way for him to discover alternative sales channels that enhanced his earning potential while extending fair prices to his customers. The knowledge and confidence he gained led him to expand his farm, and in effect, increased his monthly income to more than Php25,000.

Aside from directly selling his harvests, he is now planting a variety of vegetables–on his farm, including lemongrass, malunggay, and madre de cacao, which he sells online to small businesses that process the produce into other products.

Embracing new techniques

Sharing the same story of hope is another KSK farmer from Pampanga, Juanito Dela Cruz. Despite his age, he actively pursued and adopted modern farming techniques. Building on his current success, he shared the importance of adaptability for farmers, calling for others to try and explore new practices.

From a modest monthly income of Php10,000, Juanito experienced an upsurge in his earnings, notably through participation in the Weekend Market at SM City Clark, yielding around Php30,000 weekly. “Kailangan maging bukas tayo sa makabagong pamamaraan ng pagsasaka para makahabol tayo sa demands ng panahon ngayon—ito ang itinuo sa akin ng SM Foundation-KSK,” he said.

The KSK program by the SM Group has had a transformative impact on approximately 30,000 Filipino farmers, including individuals like Jayson and Juanito. Thanks to the program's initiatives, farmers who had previously felt disheartened have found renewed hope through the adoption of modern farming methods, enabling them to navigate the changing agricultural environment with greater flexibility.

The SM Group, through its SM Foundation, maintains a firm dedication to promoting social welfare. This commitment is evident in SM's upcoming projects, particularly its future smart city property development, which prioritizes enhancing positive social outcomes in the communities where SM is active.