CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga — At least 84 farmers are now equipped with new skills and knowledge on farming and harvesting that could further boost their productivity.
This, after they have completed a 12-week training under the “Kabalikat sa Kabuhayan (KSK)” Rural Farmers’ Training Program.
The farmer-beneficiaries received their training certificates during the culmination of Harvest Festival Wednesday where they learned new innovative farming techniques, cost and return analysis and sustainability plan at Hansel farm, in Barangay Maimpis this city.
The farmers are from eight different barangays of this city and neighboring areas of Pampanga. Five of them are employees of the City Agriculture and Veterinary Office of San Fernando.
City Agriculturist Cristina Sangumay said the training was launched on January 22 this year and the 84 farmers are already the 156th batch of beneficiaries under the program.
Meanwhile, the farmers were able to gather a variety of fruits and vegetables such as honeydew, melon, watermelon, eggplant, tomato and cucumber during the harvest festival.
Some of these agricultural products were then used as ingredients in their cook-off challenge.
City Mayor Edwin Santiago, in his speech, extended his warmest congratulations to the farmers as the season to reap the fruits of their labor finally comes.
He also encouraged them to practice the planting methods they have learned to enhance their production thus, contribute to the city’s food security.
“Through this program, we will also help you to have better livelihood through farming,” Santiago said.
KSK is a project of SM Foundation, Inc. (SMFI), in cooperation with the Harbest Agribusiness Corporation, Department of Agriculture, Department of Social Welfare and Development and the City Government of San Fernando, that aims to empower farmers through the season-long training on improved and doable agricultural technology. (Marna Dagumboy Del Rosario/PNA)
