Village Connect
Two hundred farmers from Luzon have completed the SM Foundation’s Kabalikat sa Kabuhayan (KSK) training program, a 14-week journey that equips participants with practical and sustainable farming techniques to transform their lives and communities.
Split between two clusters—100 from Quirino, Isabela and another 100 from Guagua and Santa Rita in Pampanga—the farmers graduated with newfound knowledge in organic farming, basic agri-entrepreneurship, and business management. The training, delivered in collaboration with SM Markets, SM Supermalls, and key government agencies, is part of the Foundation’s commitment to uplifting marginalized communities through inclusive livelihood opportunities.
One of the graduates, Gloria Cabarios Diampoc, captured the spirit of the program with a heartfelt reflection: “They didn’t just give us food—they taught us how to grow it. That changes everything for our families.”
More than just an introduction to agricultural techniques, the KSK program also taught participants how to market their products, manage small agribusinesses, and embrace the core values of SM founder Henry Sy Sr., who championed perseverance and entrepreneurship. The program encouraged them to see even the smallest plots of land as viable sources of income.
“This isn’t just about planting,” said Diampoc. “It’s about believing that we can build something sustainable. I now see farming not as a struggle, but as a livelihood with real promise.”
Now in its 17th year, the KSK program has trained over 30,000 farmers across the Philippines. Many have gone on to supply their produce to SM’s retail partners or participate in the SM Weekend Market, bridging the gap between grassroots farming and commercial opportunities.
Support from public and private partners—including the Department of Agriculture, DSWD, DOLE, DTI, and DOST—played a vital role in the program’s continued success. Local government units also provided logistical assistance and encouraged community-wide participation.
For these 200 Luzon farmers, graduation isn’t the end—it’s the beginning of a new chapter in their lives, where hard work, modern skills, and renewed confidence plant the seeds for lasting change.
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