A Founder’s Dream: Urban Farming and the SM Foundation

A Founder’s Dream: Urban Farming and the SM Foundation

In 2007, Henry Sy, Sr., the founder of SM Group, had a vision: to create a more sustainable future for the Philippines. He believed that urban farming could play a key role in this, and he tasked the SM Foundation with developing a program to make it happen.

The result was the Kabalikat Sa Kabuhayan on Sustainable Agriculture Program (KSK-SAP), which has been running for over 16 years. The KSK-SAP provides training and support to urban farmers, helping them to learn how to grow nutritious food in a sustainable way.

The program has been a huge success, with over 28,550 farmers trained and 260 sustainable agricultural trainings conducted. The KSK-SAP has also helped to create income opportunities for marginalized urban communities, and it has contributed to food security in the Philippines.

In July 2023, the SM Foundation celebrated the progress of the KSK-SAP by mounting simultaneous Urban Farming initiatives at 17 SM malls across the country. These events were a way to highlight the impact of the program and to thank the government agencies and LGUs that have been such valuable partners.

The SM Foundation is committed to continuing the KSK-SAP and making urban farming a more mainstream activity in the Philippines. The program is an important part of the SM Foundation’s broader sustainability agenda, and it is helping to create a more sustainable future for the Philippines.

How the SM Foundation is Making Urban Farming More Sustainable

The SM Foundation is taking a number of steps to make urban farming more sustainable. These include:

• Providing training on sustainable farming practices: The KSK-SAP provides training on a variety of sustainable farming practices, such as composting, rainwater harvesting, and crop rotation. This helps farmers to reduce their environmental impact and to produce more nutritious food.
• Creating market opportunities for urban farmers: The SM Foundation works with SM Supermalls and SM Markets to create market opportunities for urban farmers. This helps farmers to sell their produce and to generate income.
• Involving government agencies and LGUs: The SM Foundation works with government agencies and LGUs to provide support for urban farming. This includes providing land for urban farms, providing access to water, and providing technical assistance

The SM Foundation’s efforts to make urban farming more sustainable are helping to create a more sustainable future for the Philippines. By providing training, creating market opportunities, and involving government agencies and LGUs, the SM Foundation is helping to make urban farming a more viable option for people across the country.

Join the SM Green Movement

The SM Foundation is committed to creating a more sustainable future for the Philippines. You can join the SM Green Movement by making small changes in your own life, such as:

• Conserving water: Turn off the tap when you brush your teeth and take shorter showers.
• Reducing, reusing, and recycling: Reduce the amount of waste you produce by bringing your own reusable bags to the grocery store and by recycling.
• Using energy-efficient appliances: Choose appliances that have the Energy Star label.
• Planting trees: Trees help to clean the air and to reduce pollution.

By making small changes in your own life, you can help to create a more sustainable future for the Philippines. Join the SM Green Movement today!