Villar: Food Self-Sufficiency Is Key Goal In New Normal

Senate Committee on Agriculture and Food chair Senator Cynthia Villar said the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic has exposed the limitations in the country’s food supply and highlighted the need for food security and self-sufficiency programs for Filipinos.

“Covid-19 is an eye-opener for many people, not only in relation to our health, but the sufficiency and source of the food we eat, too. It made us realize how dependent and vulnerable we are when it comes to food. So much so that being food self-sufficient has become an important part of our life goals in the new normal,” the senator said.

Villar noted that, under community quarantine, many Filipinos found themselves out of food already in just a week or so. 

“The lack of food was of course due to many factors—no money due to loss of income, no access to food due to closures of nearby stores or food outlets and, movement of food supply was hampered,” she said.

The senator also noted that many turned to home farming as a solution. 

“We have seen a renewed interest and enthusiasm in urban farming and backyard gardening. That’s a good indication and we should keep the momentum going… (but) it should not stop there, it should be supported by practical and sustainable programs and policies,” she said.

Villar echoed the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization’s (FAO) warning that the ongoing pandemic will further disrupt food supply chains and adversely affect everyone including farmers, consumers and food sellers. She also backed the UN-FAO’s call for governments to ensure continuous food supply by fixing flaws in supply chains and making them resilient against interruptions. 

“We can empower people to grow or produce their own food as much as we can, but agriculture officials and policymakers should put in place a sustainable program to ensure that the people will not run out of food, with or without a crisis,” the senator said.