Manila, Philippines – A British-based development organization has called for increased investments in farming and fisheries if the country wants to be sufficient in food for keeps.
In its latest Food Justice Report, Oxfam Philippines noted the backward nature of Philippine agriculture and fisheries, blaming “poor technologies, storage, infrastructure, and wasteful consumption“ as the culprits for the perennial food deficit.
By its reckoning, a total of 822,000 metric tons (MT) of rice are lost annually, and this volume is sufficient enough to feed 7.4 million Filipinos, or practically all citizens living below the poverty line. (Marvyn N. Benaning)