Members of SMC’s Backyard Bukid in Albuera, Leytepose at their farm site at the Antipolo Elementary School during the project’s harvesting ceremony last April. (Photo from SMC)
Bannered by the new skills and productivity training conducted by the San Miguel Corporation (SMC), SMC’s Backyard Bukid community farming initiative has been expanded to nine sites nationwide, including its first in the Visayas and an all-women farming group in Northern Luzon.
Accordingly, the farming program broadened its focus on food security, sustainable agriculture and supplemental livelihoods through the initiative of the San Miguel Foundation Inc. (SMFI).
Backyard Bukid was launched in 2021 at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, initially providing fresh food for utility, maintenance and security personnel affected by lockdown restrictions at SMC’s headquarters in Mandaluyong City.
The initiative has since evolved into a community-based organic farming program implemented in several areas. The newest site was launched earlier this year by San Miguel Foods (SMF) at Antipolo Elementary School in Albuera, Leyte, where SMC operates a Magnolia Poultry Processing Plant. It is the company’s first Backyard Bukid site in the Visayas.
SMFI said the Leyte farm currently supports 25 community farmers, including parents, barangay officials and school personnel, serving as a community resource for food, nutrition and livelihood.
Last March, SMF also launched a Backyard Bukid at Soyung Elementary School in Echague, Isabela, in partnership with the group School for Experiential and Entrepreneurial Development (SEED), which provided training to SMC volunteers in organic farming.
SEED under scored that the Isabela site is notable for its all-women farming membership that was launched in connection with SMC’s support for women’s empowerment during Women’s Month.
“We’re excited to see how this farm will continue to grow in Isabela under its all-female team. More than managing a source of food for their families, their taking charge of this livelihood project is a strong statement for the role of women not just in the family but in the community,” SMC chairman and chief-executive-officer Ramon Ang pointed out.
