Villar welcomes 2nd batch of farmer-trainees at urban farm school

Sen. Cynthia Villar welcomed the second batch of trainees at the Villar SIPAG Urban Farm School in the boundary of Las Pinas and Bacoor City.

Three hundred trainees from Taguig, Pateros, Muntinlupa, Paranaque and Cavite are the beneficiaries of the training program sponsored by Villar SIPAG (Social Institute for Poverty Alleviation and Governance) with Allied Botanical Corporation (ABC).

"Providing our farmers with the opportunity to learn from the best and at no cost to them is one way of helping our food producers improve their yield and increase their income," Villar said.

Villar, chair of the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Food, was optimistic the trainees will learn new knowledge on modern farming processes and machineries from ABC, the only 100% Filipino-owned seed company with a research and development program.

"They have a solid program for localized breeding. The company prides itself with its rigid selection and breeding for tropical vegetables. With their tie-ups with foreign companies, ini-introduce nila dito sa ating bansa ang mga pioneering technology on seeds and fertilizer, para sa mga Pilipinong magsasaka," she said.

The first batch of trainees was presented last September 15 with SM Foundation Inc. and Harbest Agribusiness Corporation as partners.

For 12 weekly sessions, scholars will be trained on the proper way of planting through lessons in modern farming methods and technologies. Sessions also include values formation, capability building and social entrepreneurship. Farmers are also provided with opportunities to create market linkages.

The first batch is expected to harvest their crops in December, while the second batch will harvest in February next year.

"We will continue to work hand-in-hand with various groups and organizations to give our farmers training programs and workshops throughout the year. I expect to see more people becoming interested in farming as we spread the word that we have an urban farm school offering free and quality training programs," she said.