NASUGBU, Batangas — A total of 85 participants in the Kabalikat sa Kabuhayan-Farmers Training program finished the livelihood training program initiated by SM Foundation with its partner agencies that include Harbest Agribusiness Corporation, Department of Agriculture, the provincial government of Batangas with the Nasugbu local government and the Cooperative Development Authority, among others.

The participants included farmers from the barangays of Bulihan, Calayo, Papaya, Looc, Putat, Kaylaway and Wawa in Nasugbu.

As is the usual practice during Kabalikat sa Kabuhayan graduation events, a harvest festival was held. Farm produce like honeydew, lettuce, sweet corn, melon, watermelon, solo squash, cucumber and bitter melon were available for sale.

Among those present during the twin events were SM Foundation Project Director Cristie Angeles; Harbest Agribusiness Corporation president Arsenio ‘Toto’ Batcelona; Costa del Hamilo’s president Jess Lucas, AVP Star Tuason, and Ms. Maan Lucas; Ms. Rhodora Agapay of the municipal agriculture office; and Ms. Marlyn Estrella of the Cooperative Development Authority.

Meanwhile, the 18th batch of Kabalikat sa Kabuhayan Farmers Training program was launched in Tanza, Cavite recently. Farmers from municipalities of Tanza, Bacoor, Alfonso, Imus, Magallanes, Maragondon, Indang, Amadeo, Ternate, Mendez, Naic, Dasmarinas, Kawit, and Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo; and Trece Martires City are participating in the program.

The training program aims to assist vegetable farmers maximize the use of their land while improving the quality of their produce. The program was started in Bacolod City a few years back. Since then, training has been continuing. Besides Bacolod, trainings have been conducted in Rosales, Pangasinan; Sta. Rosa, Laguna; San Fernando, Pampanga; Cebu City, Davao City and many other places where there are SM branches.