As a steadfast advocate of green and sustainable living, SM Supermalls, through its corporate social responsibility arm, SM Foundation Inc., has partnered with the Department of Agriculture in a commitment to promote urban gardening through the Kabalikat sa Kabuhayan on Sustainable Agriculture.
Geared to support the government’s food security agenda and providing alternative livelihood opportunity, the program equips the gardening trainees with modern planting techniques that will enable improved and quality produce – which their families may consume at home or sell as source of extra income.
SM’s partnership with the DA will empower Filipino families to realize the importance of urban gardening. With the project Kabalikat sa Kabuhayan on Sustainable Agriculture, urban gardening will be implemented in 21 SM malls and to its community.
SM Supermalls proudly announced the launching of the project which was held simultaneously in 21 locations, two of which are in Pampanga — SM City Clark and Telabastagan; 7 in NCR namely San Lazaro, Southmall, North EDSA, East Ortigas, Marikina, Fairview and Muntinlupa, and 12 other provincial malls — Urdaneta, Tuguegarao, Cauayan, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac City, Puerto Princesa, Naga City, Roxas City, Cebu City and General Santos City.
At least 25 participants identified by the Department of Social Welfare Development, City Agriculture Office and Barangay Committee from each urban gardening site will undergo a 14-week KSK on Sustainable Agriculture to be trained by urban gardening trainers.
An SM mall garden will be utilized as a potential venue for hands-on training to showcase various urban garden agriculture techniques. On the other hand, SMFI will provide supplies and materials for barangay demo garden and start-up home materials for the gardening trainees.
The launch event at SM City Clark and SM City Telabastagan mark a significant milestone in the journey towards sustainable agriculture. In collaboration with esteemed partners including the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Tourism (DOT), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Local Government Unit of City of San Fernando, (LGU) and the City Government of Mabalacat, this groundbreaking initiative aims to uplift local farmers in Pampanga through modern and sustainable farming practices.
