Armed with knowledge: An SM Foundation farmer graduate’s journey towards agricultural empowerment

Iloilo City farmer Rita Soltis proudly shows her vibrantly green vegetable garden.

Many passionate and devoted farmers continue to explore ways to address the age-old challenge of making agriculture a viable livelihood. They continue to seek ways to improve efficiency and yield as they play a key role not only in the country's economy but also in ensuring Filipinos have easy access to fresh, nourishing food.

Putting a focus on empowering farmers through education, the SM Foundation, the social good arm of the SM Group, conducts its Kabalikat sa Kabuhayan program for low-income farmers across the country. 

Since its inception in 2007, it has introduced modern farming techniques to roughly 30,000 farmers, including Rita Soltis of Iloilo City.

Eager to learn and earn

SM farmer-beneficiary Rita Soltis reaps the fruits of the Kabalikat sa Kabuhayan training program with a bountiful harvest.

Soltis, a long-time crop farmer, has always strived to hone her agricultural expertise. Through years of experience, she's struggled to navigate the intricacies of the agricultural business and mitigate the impact of unforeseen challenges—from weather to pests—by planting watermelons and vegetables during off-season for their family’s consumption.

“Palay lang po ‘yung una kong tinatanim. Sinusubok ko rin po noon ang corn at pakwan upang makabawi sa gastos pag may konting puhunan. Dati po ay hindi kami masyadong nagtatanim ng gulay, sapat lang para sa amin,” she said.

Determined to turn over a new leaf, she completed the 14-week training with KSK: “Gusto ko pong magkaroon ng bagong oportunidad para matuto sa farming at lalo na sa marketing kaya nagkainteres po akong sumali sa programang KSK ng SM Foundation.”

Through the program, she learned about how to keep up with times, and prudently invest in mechanization and other modern farming techniques.

“Itong mga ito ay kaylangan sa panahon ngayon upang mapalago mo ang iyong sakahan at kabuhayan, at higit sa lahat hindi ka mahuhuli. Natuto kami ng tamanag budgeting, pag-iipon ng kita, pagpa-plano kung saan-saan ilalaan ang kita, at pagbasa ng demand ng market. Natuto kaming aralin ang diskarte at technique kung sa gulay o palay dapat ilaan ang panahon at pera,” she said.

While empowered with new set of skills, it was the business principle of Herny Sy that kept her going when times were tough: “Itinuro rin po sa amin ang life principles ni Mr. Henry Sy, Sr at nagagamit ko po ito sa pagne-negosyo. Lalo na sa pagtatanim, dapat may hard work at patience dahil mahaba ang proseso mula sa paghahanda, pagtatanim, hanggang pagaani. Sabi ni Mr. Sy ‘Recognize the opportunity.’ Kaya dapat maging matalino at madiskarte ka sa paghahanap ng oportunidad lalo na sa market,” she added.

Expanding her business further, she founded "Dorime Garden," cultivating various vegetables for sale and creating a livelihood opportunity for a community member.

Since finishing KSK in 2023, the efforts she planted have been sprouting. This year, Soltis successfully harvested 50 kilograms of eggplants, which she marketed effectively through local community markets and weekend markets at SM Supermalls. Building on this success, she has established her own "Dorime Garden," where she cultivates a variety of vegetables for sale.  This venture has not only expanded her business but also provided a livelihood opportunity for a member of her community.

“Ngayon, may kaakibat nang kaalaman ang bawat desisyon na aming gagawin. Alam namin kung kailan itatanim ang isang gulay o palay base sa season. Mayroon na rin kaming technique kung saan hindi tsamba o pakonti-konti lang ang pagtatanim na high-maintenance pa. Sa tulong din po ng Weekend Market ng SM, kami po ay nakakapagbenta ng harvest sa bigger market, kung saan maraming tao,” she proudly shared.