A total of 212 farmers in Ilocos Norte have moved up to the next challenge of agriculture entrepreneurship after they successfully completed a 14-week training on sustainable agriculture.

The graduation ceremony took place on Wednesday at SM City Laoag, with some of their fresh produce showcased at the atrium.

“The organic farming training was truly transformative. We learned so much about soil health, natural pest control, and composting,” Yvette Javines, one of the graduates and a resident off Barangay Barit in this city, said.

Through the training, the farmer-beneficiaries gained new insights on modern farming methods and marketing and business principles to improve their living conditions.

Another graduate, Roger Juan of Barangay Navotas also in this city, said that through the guidance of various government agencies and SM Foundation Inc., which is behind the Kabalikat sa Kabuhayan (KSK) sustainable agriculture program, they are now better equipped with knowledge and skills to turn their dreams into reality.

“On behalf of our association, we would like to express our gratitude to the individuals and institutions who helped us made this possible. The program gave us confidence and better idea to market our produce,” he said during the program.

Maylene Quiling, a resident of Barangay San Marcelino in Dingras town, said the training gave them a big opportunity to improve their livelihood.

“We were not just taught with modern techniques in agriculture, we were also given a national certificate on organic farming production which gives us pride and inspiration as farmers,” she said.

Quiling added the support from both public and private partners has given them new direction and discipline to achieve their goals to produce safe and nutritious food for the community.

For Marlon Gallano, an organic farming advocate and one of the trainers in the KSK program, said he takes pride of the new generation of farmers for their dedication to become the next stewards of the land, expressing commitment to break free from the excessive use of chemical-formula to grow their crops.

In support to the eight farmers associations from Dingras and Laoag City who completed the hands-on training, a grant of PHP500,000 from the Department of Social Welfare and Development has been allotted to them to finance their livelihood proposals.

The amount will be complemented by the offices of Ilocos Norte Reps. Ferdinand Alexander Marcos and Angelo Marcos Barba, along with other government agencies such as the Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Philippine Carabao Center, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, Department of Trade and Industry, Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation, and Department of Labor and Employment, among others.

The livelihood proposals include integrated farming with tilapia and catfish production, vegetable and “lakatan” production, and free-ranged chicken and egg production. (PNA)