Tagbilaran City—The partnership between SM Foundation and the Department of Agriculture has been strengthened with the launching of the Kabalikat sa Kabuhayan Farmers’ Training Program at the Bohol Agricultural Center here, coinciding with the launching of the Bohol Fish Market and Tienda.
Agriculture Secretary Manny Piñol came to the city as part of his Biyaheng Bukid, an initiative that takes him to different places in the country, enables him to interact with farmers and fishermen and consult with local government executives on issues related to agriculture and fisheries.
At a press conference, Piñol stressed on making Bohol a “food-secured” province through the initiative of local leaders and the local government units in collaboration with the national government and private organizations.
One of the programs that would help make farmers self-reliant in food and empower them to become entrepreneurs is the KSK Farmers’ Training Program.
The program launch and orientation were attended by Cristie S. Angeles, the SMFI AVP of Outreach and Livelihood Programs, and Harbest Agribusiness Corp. president Arsenio “Toto” Barcelona, who briefed the guests and participants on the season-long dual tech program.
The Department of Agriculture is one of the program partners in the training program. At the launch, DA Region 7 coordinator Susan Kintanar helped organized the farmers and LGUs in support of KSK.