The DSWD Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) in partnership with SM Foundation, Harbest Agribusiness Corporation, SM Supermarket, SM Supermalls, Department of Agriculture (DA), and the Local Government Units of Aparri and Lal-lo led the SM Kabalikat sa Kabuhayan Rural Farmers Training Program harvest festival and conferment rites of the 91 SLP participants together with 86 other small budding farmers last July 9-12, 2018 held at the towns of Aparri and Lal-lo and SM Center Tuguegarao Downtown.
The aforementioned activities were graced by the presence of SLP RPMO technical staff, SLP Provincial staff, SM Foundation Vice President Cristie Angeles, Harbest Agribusiness Corporation representative Mark June Ariola, Department of Agriculture representatives, SM Supermarket representatives, the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Aparri as represented by Sangguniang Bayan (SB) Member Ria Capina, the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Lal-lo as represented by Municipal Mayor Florante C. Pascual, Vice Mayor Florence Oliver B. Pascual, 1st District Board Member Maria Olivia B. Pascual, Barangay Officials, School Officials, the Municipal Action Team of Aparri and the Municipal Action Team of Lallo.
The conferred graduates were part of the 169th and 170th batches in the country who successfully completed the 12 week training. They were provided with updated agricultural farm technology on high value crops and enhanced profitability through sustainability forum.
Likewise, the endeavor reaped a bountiful harvest on both techno demo farm sites. High value crops such as honey dew, water melon, cucumber, bitter gourd, eggplant, chili, okra, sponge gourd, upland kangkong and string beans were harvested. On-site marketing of the produce was also conducted. 
In behalf of DSWD OIC-Regional Director Lucia S. Alan, SLP Government Sector Partnership Officer Mr. Juan Z. Zalun extended his gratitude for the collaborative efforts of the partners in bringing the endeavor closer to the SLP program participants. He emphasized the significance of such project in empowering the participants to be economically active members of the community. ### By: Melisen Taquiqui, SLP Social Marketing Officer