Farmers from Sulu undergo agri-training courtesy of SM Foundation and Harbest Corporation.

In the continuing efforts to bring hope and prosperity to the province of Sulu, Go Negosyo, led by Sulu project coordinator Ginggay Hontiveros, together with representatives of Bounty Fresh Agro Ventures Inc., flew to Sulu recently to launch its Poultry Contract Growing Program.

This program is under the Negosyo Para sa Kapayapaan sa Sulu, which was launched December 2016 in Malacañang in the presence of President Rodrigo Duterte.

The Poultry Contract Growing Program of Bounty Fresh provides farmers and other members of the Sulu community with training on raising, nurturing and harvesting chickens every month. This gives them an opportunity to be part of the inclusive supply chain of the company, and provides their families with monthly income and sustenance.

With a successful pilot in Patikul, Go Negosyo Kapatid looks forward to spreading the livelihood program to other municipalities in the months to come.

Go Negosyo also visited the demo farm in Jolo, the site of the SM Foundation – Harbest’s Kabalikat sa Kabuhayan agri training program. Now in its culminating week, farmers from all over Sulu are being taught how to successfully plant high-value crops such as fruits and vegetables. They recently learned how to make organic fertilizer and how to prune, create trellises and execute proper weeding.

It is heartening to see the plantlets of tomatoes, honeydew, watermelon, and many other crops begin to sprout. With the training well underway, farmers are learning how to feed their families and communities in a healthy fashion, and have a chance to produce more for the market.

While insurgency continues to grip some parts of Sulu, the government is intensifying its proactive response to the situation. In the same passionate manner, private sector Kapatids remain committed to fulfill the pledges made to the people of Sulu for homes, classrooms, connectivity, livelihood and prosperity.

Ada Ledesma-Mabilangan (seated), the daughter of Purita and president of Kalaw-Ledesma Foundation, states that the The Life and Times of Purita Kalaw-Ledesma sets the tone on how the Purita archive may be used by future scholars. With Mabilangan are authors Eileen Legaspi-Ramirez, Clarissa “Lisa” Chikiamco, and Purissima “Petty” Benitez-Johannot, who also serves as the editor. Not in the photo is Patrick D. Flores.Photo by ERNIE PEÑAREDONDO