DA, SM partner for farm training

MANILA, Philippines — The corporate social arm of the SM Group has inked an agreement with the Department of Agriculture (DA) to provide intensified training to farmers to ensure better crop production.

Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Pinol and SM Foundation Inc. executive director Deborah Sy led the signing of the memorandum of agreement for the implementation of SMFI Kabalikat sa Kabuhayan Farmers’ Training Program, which is aimed at providing season-long training on vegetable farming.

Under the agreement, 50 farmer-participants will undergo 12 sessions of hands-on training.

The DA-High Value Crops Development Program will identify possible locations of about 5,000 square meters for rural areas and 1,000 square meters for urban areas that will  serve as training farms.

The proposed areas should be accessible, secured, flat but not prone to flooding during rainy season, and must be fertile.

The areas should also have existing irrigation pumps or canals, training room and storage shelter for supplies and produce.

SMFI, for its part, will administer the packaging and funding of training. 

It has tapped Harbest Agribusiness Corp. and Macondray Philippines Co. Inc. as service providers.

The service providers will  give a comprehensive project plan that will include the organization of farmers, site selection, crops to be planted with cost and benefit chart, technology application, calendar of activities and course outline.

They will also provide all direct inputs needed for the planting of around 20 crops in identified sites nationwide.

Bohol is being eyed to be the pilot area for the project to address the high prices of basic commodities in the province.