The Philippines's food security and the coconut industry: Inquirer contributor

has decided to personally take the helm of the Department of Agriculture .

Importation is a way by which countries that cannot produce enough food ensure the availability of food supplies for their population. Singapore, for example, which has only 1 per cent of its land available for food production, imports 90 per cent of its food requirement. The Philippine coconut industry can contribute meaningfully to national food security through food production and income improvement strategies. There are 3.5 million hectares of coconut lands in the country. Much of this area can be devoted to food production to enhance the country's food self-sufficiency.

Productivity improvement and value adding are also income-enhancing strategies available to coconut farmers. Introducing fertiliser into coconut farms will improve productivity, thereby doubling the incomes of 20 million Filipinos who are dependent on coconut farming for their living. This will enhance food security for close to 20 per cent of the country's population. In addition, coconut hybridisation will further augment productivity in the long term.

The above measures are within reach of the Marcos Jr. administration. All that is needed is an inspired new vision for the coconut industry and proper utilisation of resources under the new coconut levy law.

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