Standard Chartered Bank (SCB) has partnered with the Pampamilyang Paaralang Agrikultura Foundation Inc. to launch the SCB Youth for Sustainable Agriculture Development.
The tie up between the oldest international bank in the Philippines and the non-profit foundation instrumental in the establishment of the Dagatan and Balete Family Farm Schools (FFS) in Batangas aims to provide the school with a hydroponic farming laboratory to introduce the concept of innovative agriculture to student beneficiaries and help promote urban hydroponic farming as an effective way of conserving agricultural space.
SCB Corporate Affairs, Brand and Marketing head Mai Sangalang said it is encouraging to see the active participation and engagement of student beneficiaries in pushing Philippine agriculture into the future.
“Through Futuremakers by Standard Chartered, the bank’s global initiative to promote greater economic inclusion, we support young people from low-income communities to learn new skills and develop an innovative mindset to help steer the way towards sustainable agriculture development,” she said.
The program also supports the continuing education and development of the school faculty and facilitated the solar electrification of the school for efficient and sustainable operations.
Employee volunteers engaged with the student beneficiaries and participated in farming activities such as seed sowing and harvesting. They also conducted learning sessions on practical money management for Grades 7 and 8 students to introduce the importance of saving, and basic business management for senior high school students.
“Our partnership with SCB is a testament of our shared commitment to equip underprivileged youth, particularly those in the agri sector, with expertise to elevate the agriculture industry, support their aspirations to become agripreneurs and highly skilled agricultural technicians, and enable them to become key drivers to help ensure food security in the country,” PPAFI Chairman of the Board Leopoldo Titular said.
