Limited market information and market access are two major barriers to increasing the income of smallholders. Studies show that farmers in grassroots communities often do not have access to profitable and value-added markets. Due to the lack of critical support features such as infrastructure and services, farmers are struggling to transform traditional subsistence agriculture into viable, commercial-oriented production. On the other hand, it is difficult for buyers such as wholesalers to obtain the quantity and quality of products required for processing in a timely manner.

For this challenge, the SM Foundation has worked with various government agencies and with various SM business units such as SM Development Corp. (SMDC), SM Supermalls and SM Market are part of the Kavalikat Sakabuhayan (KSK) program to secure a place for local farmers to sell their produce in the COVID-19 pandemic.

From training KSK participants on the application of sustainable agricultural technology to technology transfer and product development, SMFI, along with various SM business units, harnesses the power of collaboration to create a link between agriculture and the market. Did. This is a powerful driving force for rural poverty. Reductions need to be created.

Meanwhile, SMFI has also partnered with SM Markets to create a market for onion growers. Through the partnership, SMFI was able to set up a dedicated onion pop-up stand and create a stable market for small onion producers.

Millions of smallholders are looking for ways to increase their productivity and improve market performance. State-of-the-art agricultural technologies combined with market connectivity such as SM KSK play an important role in improving the livelihoods of smallholders and their families.