In recent years, Filipinos developed an affinity for urban farming, or growing food crops in highly developed areas. Eventually, what began as a hobby became a lucrative venture for many urban gardeners in the metro. As a result, many government agencies and private organizations continue to encourage the practice today.
Last July 7, Friday, the SM group introduced its Urban Farming Initiative through the SM Foundation’s Kabalikat sa Kabuhayan on Sustainable Agriculture Program (KSK-SAP) to further uplift communities and promote environmental consciousness.
The program will also be introduced in 21 SM Supermalls nationwide.
SM’s Urban Farming Initiative aims to equip Filipinos, especially those from low-income communities, with essential skills in high-value crop farming, as rooted in the late Henry Sy Sr.’s vision. He envisioned empowering individuals to cultivate their produce and foster potential income sources while contributing to the country’s environmental sustainability.
Also present at the launch were local government agencies and stakeholders, including the Department of Agriculture (DA), the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), the Development of Science and Technology (DoST), the Department of Tourism (DOT), and the local government of Barangay Sto. Cristo in Quezon City.
Since its inception in 2007, the KSK-SAP has effectively collaborated with government agencies and partner farmer schools, successfully training over 28,550 beneficiaries in rural and urban farming techniques.
The urban farming initiative will also provide comprehensive training on urban farming techniques and hands-on lectures on product development, marketing, and basic accounting while transforming underutilized urban spaces into productive gardens.