{
  "id": 1078567,
  "title": "SMC expands urban farms beyond Luzon",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/15/smc-expands-urban-farms-beyond-luzon",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-08-15T16:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Philippine Star Business",
    "slug": "philippine-star-business",
    "url": "https://www.philstar.com/business/2026/08/16/2549499/smc-expands-urban-farms-beyond-luzon"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "San Miguel Corp (SMC), a diversified conglomerate, is expanding its urban farm initiative beyond Luzon, establishing its first backyard farm site in the Visayas to bolster local food security. The Backyard Bukid program, launched during the COVID-19 pandemic, now has nine sites nationwide and started as a way to provide food for SMC's utility and security personnel stranded at their headquarters in Mandaluyong. Since then, it has evolved into a community-based organic farming program in various areas through San Miguel Foundation Inc. The latest site in Antipolo, Leyte, involves 25 community farmers, including parents, barangay officials, and school staff, who act as a support program for health, nutrition, and livelihood in the area. Jonathan Dimailig, a community farmer, expressed pride in their teamwork and the productivity of their farm. In March, another urban farm site was launched at Soyung Elementary School in Echague, Isabela, managed by an all-women group with support from non-government organization SEED Philippines. SMC chairman and CEO Ramon Ang expressed excitement about the farm's growth under its all-female team, emphasizing the strong statement it makes for women's roles in the community. The nine Backyard Bukid farms have already produced over 4,300 kilos of assorted crops and generated income for 155 employees and community farmers. These farms practice organic and sustainable farming using natural alternatives to chemical pesticides and synthetic fertilizers. SMC plans to develop more Backyard Bukid sites in Bulacan, Iloilo, and Misamis Oriental, and San Miguel Properties is setting up a community-managed farm in Davao del Sur. Ang emphasized that these farms represent the initiative, teamwork, and resilience of SMC's employees and community volunteers, aiming to provide healthier food options, additional income for families, and a stronger community.",
  "summary": "Diversified conglomerate San Miguel Corp. is expanding its urban farm initiative beyond Luzon as it recently established its first backyard farm site in the Visayas to support local food security.",
  "key_points": [
    "SMC expands urban farms to Visayas with first backyard farm site in Antipolo, Leyte.",
    "Backyard Bukid program launched during COVID-19, now has nine sites nationwide.",
    "SMC plans to develop more farms in Bulacan, Iloilo, Misamis Oriental, and Davao del Sur."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}