San Miguel Foods continues to pay it forward: Cultivating the next generation of leaders to transform Philippine agriculture
San Miguel Foods, in partnership with San Miguel Foundation has marked its 6th batch of scholars in its SEED scholarship program — Gawad Kalinga’s School for Experiential Education Development (SEED) three-month training program. With this milestone, the program has now produced 117 SEED graduate scholars, each carrying forward a story of resilience, hope, and purpose.
In a country rich in agricultural resources yet facing declining participation of youth in farming, San Miguel Foods is helping redefine what agriculture can mean for the next generation. As many young Filipinos turn away from the farm, the company is taking a different view: that the future of agriculture begins with empowering young people, especially those with limited access to formal education but a strong determination to succeed. Through this program, agriculture is presented not just as a means of livelihood, but a pathway to dignity, meaningful work, and long-term food security, contributing to nation-building one young farmer at a time.
Every year, San Miguel Foods sponsors 20 youth scholars to undergo an intensive, three-month agri-entrepreneurship training under SEED Philippines — a course that grants a TESDA National Certificate II, recognized by employers and meeting national competency standards. The program goes beyond technical training, strengthening character and values through workshops, permaculture-based farming activities, solidarity assemblies, bayanihan sessions, and community outreach, ensuring scholars graduate not only with skills, but the right mindset for community-driven development.
Seeds of courage, fruits of hope
Many of the scholars come from families where education is a distant dream, making graduation a deeply emotional milestone. What they find in SEED is more than training. They find community. They find purpose. Most importantly, they find hope.
“Labis ang pasasalamat ko sa San Miguel Foods. Sobrang laking tulong ng programa na ito sa akin, hindi lang sa farming, kundi pati sa personal growth ko. Mas lumalim ang pag-unawa ko sa sarili, sa bayan, at sa pamilya. Dahil dito, nagkaroon ng mas malalim na kahulugan ang salitang ‘pangarap’. Gusto ko ang mga pangarap ko ay may pakinabang hindi lang para sa akin, kundi para sa bayan” shared by Job Peletos, 23 years old, from Catigan, Davao del Sur.
Another scholar, Artemio Sargan, a 32 years-old tribal resident from Upi, Maguindanao del Sur shared his learnings and aspirations for their batch:
“Dito sa SEED, hindi lang pagtatanim ang aming natutunan, kundi pati na rin ang respeto at pagmamahal sa bawat isa — parang isang pamilya. Marami ang akala na simple lang ang training program na ito, pero dito nasubok ang tibay ng aming katawan, isip, at damdamin. Mapapalayo ka sa pamilya at matututunan mong harapin ang mga pagsubok ng buhay. Dahil dito, naging sandigan namin ang isa’t isa. Natutunan naming itaas ang bawat isa at magtulungan.
Pangarap naming magsama-sama at magtayo ng negosyo na hindi lang para sa amin, kundi para matulungan din ang iba na makaahon sa kahirapan. Gusto naming maibahagi ang aming kaalaman at ma-inspire ang iba na makalaya sa hirap at magsimula ng mas magandang buhay.”
Stories like these reflect the heart of the program — helping scholars break free from cycles of poverty and hopelessness, and empowering them to dream not only for themselves, but for others.
With 117 graduates and counting, the SEED Scholarship Program reflects San Miguel Foods’ long-term commitment to nurturing future agri-leaders and strengthening Philippine agriculture from the ground up. Today, many of its graduates are putting their training into action – some leading in farm production and managing their own community farms, while others have taken on roles in agricultural offices, agri-sector units within their local government, and retail businesses.
