Farmers find path to financial freedom through urban gardening

For years, many Filipino farmers have been unable to break the cycle of debt and dependency that often accompanies farming.

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But through SM Foundation’s Kabalikat sa Kabuhayan (KSK) Farming Program, the beneficiaries are now finding ways to generate a reliable income from agriculture.

Among those whose lives have changed is Connie Flores, a mother of six and a 2023 graduate of the KSK’s urban gardening program. Although she had no formal background in agriculture, Connie adapted to the lifestyle of her husband’s family, who primarily grew vegetables for their own use.

“Mahirap po ang magsaka. Dahil wala po kaming puhunan noon, lagi kaming umuutang. Kaya kapag umani, ipangbabayad lang po ulit namin,” she recalled.

After joining the KSK program, she realized that vegetable farming could be a viable livelihood. She began practicing integrated farming, growing vegetables in their backyard and beside the family's rice fields, maximizing land use and generating additional income. With guidance from KSK, she learned to grow high-value crops such as sponge gourd (patola), okra, and string beans, which are Filipino household staples and command reasonable prices.