CAN WE attain food security despite many challenges, among them storms that regularly batter the agriculture sector such as the recent Tropical Storm “Paeng”?
Based on the World Food Summit definition, food security could be attained if the availability of food supply, physical and economic accessibility, utilization (food consumption, safety, and quality), and price and volume stability are ensured.
Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority showed that while we have a 100-percent self-sufficiency ratio (SSR) or the ability to produce to meet domestic demand, our rice, pork and chicken SSR decreased to 90 percent. The SSR of tuna and galunggong also dropped in recent decades to 90 and 80 percent, respectively.
Transport and food sector infrastructure affect food availability and people’s access to food. Infrastructure plays a big role in determining the cost of food. Food, especially perishables, is sensitive to temperature and handling. If food is damaged during transport due to uneven roads or substandard storage facilities, the likelihood of food wastage increases. This will cause food prices to also increase.
The number of moderately or severely food-insecure households increased from 43 to 62 percent during the COVID-19 pandemic, based on Department of Science and Technology-Food and Nutrition Research Institute data. The Philippines dropped to 67th out of 113 countries in the Global Food Security Index Rating in 2022.
The food security framework of the Department of Agriculture encapsulates the government’s campaign on food security. Supported by various agencies and local government units, it has various initiatives, including promoting home or urban gardening, developing prepackaged nutritious products, educational campaigns such as the Pinggang Pinoy seal, and school-based nutrition programs such as supplementary feeding.
Other equally pressing issues contributing to food insecurity must be resolved. These include increasing agriculture yield to ensure that the domestic food demands are met, addressing the issue of land conversion for residential and commercial development, helping smallholders increase their crop yield, keeping farming and food production costs low, and improving the roads and the transport system.
Achieving food security is a must as it directly contributes to the higher goal of nutrition and economic security, and peace and order. The ultimate aim is to make food supply accessible, affordable and stable.
