SM FOUNDATION LAUNCHES THE 43RD KABALIKAT SA KABUHAYAN IN GENSAN

SM Foundation, Inc. Asst. Vice-President for Livelihood and Outreach Program Cristie S. Angeles (6th from left) and President of Harbest Agribusiness Corporation Arsenio “Toto” Barcelona (far right) turned over the seedlings to Chairperson on Committee of Food and Agriculture Councilor Eduardo Leyson IV and City Agriculturist Merlinda Donasco (far left) to mark the official start of the Kabalikat sa Kabuhayan Farmers Training Program in Brgy. Ligaya, General Santos City on June 7, 2012.

The training program is the 43^rd KSK program of SM Foundation, Inc. to be conducted since its first launch almost five years ago.

With over 140 farmer participants and guests, the launch was conducted at Brgy. Ligaya. Farmer participants came from different Barangays in General Santos City such as Brgy. Batomelong, Brgy. Katangawan, and Brgy. Olympog. Farmer participants will be taught the dual-tech approach of farming by KSK trainer. They will also learn the new technology of Harbest Agribusiness Corporation on application of fertilizers, soil amendments, or other water-soluble products through an irrigation system. Efficient use of water, lower labor cost and better yield are some of its benefits.

The training, which will start on June 19 and will be culminated first week of September, has 12 sessions of technical briefing and hands-on field exercises at the site training, also in Brgy. Ligaya. Harbest Agribusiness Corp. provided the improved and double agricultural technology while the CAO as the implementing office provided the training, venue and the facilitator.

Also shown in the photo are Jocelyn Mysterio, Area Program Coordinator of DA Region XII (2^nd from Left), Hon. Romy Pagaduan, Brgy. Ligaya Chairperson (3^rd from left), and Ms. Debby A. Go, Asst. Vice-President for Operations in Mindanao.