The Sugar Industry Foundation, Inc. (SIFI) Livelihood Pillar kicks off 2025 with Farmers’ Market Day.
The income and market generation activity for farmers continues. On March 2025, a Livelihood Expo was conducted in collaboration with the Carlos Hilado Memorial State University (CHMSU) and SIFI Livelihood-assisted Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Organizations (ARBOs).
The said activity was participated by 5 ARBOs namely: Balogo Farmers Association (BAFA) from Talisay City; Brgy Don Jorge L. Araneta (BDJLAARC) from Bago City; Minuro Agrarian Reform Beneficiary Cooperative (MARBE ARC) from Victorias City; Viscaya Agrarian Reform Cooperative (VARC) from Pontevedra; and Villa Carolina Agrarian Reform Cooperative (VICARCO) from Murcia. The ARBOs brought their fresh produce – handpicked fruits, vegetables, bread, pastries, and desserts – just in time for CHMSU’s weekly flag ceremony that the faculty, staff, and students attend.
With the inclement weather and volcanic disturbances from Mt. Kanlaon, a number of livelihood-assisted ARBOs begged off from the event. Despite this, the first Farmers’ Market Day conducted for this year sold out early in the morning, having Php18,000.00 as a total generated income.
Positive feedbacks were shared by the ARBOs and consumers. Dr. Elvie Samson, CHMSU Gender and Development Coordinator expressed that “When I received an info that SIFI will again have their Farmers Market Day here in our institution, I prepared my market basket and bags because I knew I’m going to bring home a lot of fresh farm produce where I can ensure that products are handpicked, not overpriced, safe and a good support for the farmers.” Dr. Samson also said that she looks forward to the next initiative for the farmers to be held in CHMSU.
The ARBOs now look forward to more events that leave an effective impact to consumers, add income generation to farmers, and create efficient linkages to improve their competitive enterprises.
*Reports from Alfael Belleza
