Local farmers and entrepreneurs are finding a bigger market through the SM Weekend Market, a joint venture of SM Foundation and SM Supermalls.
The initiative aims to integrate local producers into the retail industry while boosting economic growth and community development.
SM Investments Corp. said micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) are vital to economies, including the Philippines. The company launched the SM Weekend Market to help these businesses, especially farmers.
“Our goal is to transfer modern, science-based agri-technology skillsets to our farmers. Once equipped with these advanced skills and knowledge, we link them to the available market,” SM Foundation assistant vice president Cristie Angeles said.
Since its inception, the market has welcomed more than 100 local farmers, offering them a platform to connect with diverse customers, from weekend shoppers to mall employees and tenants.
This exposure has not only expanded their market reach but also significantly boosted their profitability. The daily sales among local enterprises vary significantly, reflecting a broad spectrum from modest to substantial earnings.
“The SM Weekend Market provides MSMEs the strategic venues or marketplaces to showcase their products and engage directly with consumers,” SM Supermall president Steven Tan said.
Local farmers, actively involved in the SM Weekend Market, attribute their improved profitability to the market’s support and opportunities.
At the heart of the SM Weekend Market’s success lies SM Foundation’s Kabalikat sa Kabuhayan—Sustainable Livelihood Program (KSK-SLP).
The program spans 14 weeks, equipping participants with essential skills in agriculture, business management, and market readiness. Through rigorous training in sustainable farming techniques and mentorship on effective product presentation and pricing strategies, KSK-SLP ensures that aspiring entrepreneurs are well-prepared to thrive in competitive markets.
Francisco Vispo, 62, of Laguna, is a program graduate. Since completing KSK-SLP in 2018, he has increased his farm’s output and expanded his market through the SM Weekend Market at SM Calamba.
Vispo also shares his farming knowledge with the community, promoting sustainable practices and backyard gardening. He has a community garden that helps feed schoolchildren.
The SM Weekend Market and KSK-SLP team up with government and non-government organizations, including SM Supermalls, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Social Welfare and Development, the Department of Science and Technology, the Department of Trade and Industry, local governments and farm schools.
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