DA, SMFI strengthen partnership with launch of farmers training program
TAGBILARAN CITY – The partnership between SM Foundation and the Department of Agriculture is strengthened with the launching of the Kabalikat sa Kabuhayan Farmers Training Program at the Bohol Agricultural Center to coincide with the launching of the Bohol Fish Market and Tienda recently.
Agriculture Secretary Manny Pinol was in Tagbilaran City as part of his Biyaheng Bukid, an initiative that takes him to different places in the country and 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, Pinol 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 Farmers Training Program.
The KSK Farmers Training Program launch and orientation was attended by Cristie Angeles, the SMFI AVP of outreach and livelihood programs and Harbest Agribusiness Corp. president Arsenio 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 DA7 HVCDP coordinator Susan Kintanar helped organized the farmers and LGUs in support of KSK.