Policymakers have long been dealing on the relationships between agriculture, natural resources, climate change, population growth and economic development. Philippine population has been growing at an average of 1.72% per year. Meanwhile, weather variability has seemed to accelerate, deeply affecting agricultural production. Thus, the vulnerability of the agriculture sector threatens the country’s food, nutrition and economic securities.

To help address these challenges, FAO Philippines is working with the Philippines Department of Agriculture (DA) on a study that analyzes the pattern of food consumption Filipinos, examines how agricultural commodities are being produced and determines how much food would be needed in the future given the population growth and other relevant factors. In addition, the study covers information on the availability, access and utilization of Filipino households to nutritious food through the identified food production and consumption patterns. As such, the National Food Consumption Quantification Study hopes to provide the rationale to harmonize food security and nutrition intervention programs.

OBJECTIVE

The overall objective of the project is to formulate the Food Production Strategy (FPS), which aims to identify policy and program recommendations towards achieving food and nutrition security as embodies in the SDG Goal 2: End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture.

It will provide the DA the updated data and enhanced analysis of food consumption patterns of Filipinos, and the country’s current production of selected commodities.

The study will also contribute to the DA’s formulation of plans and programs that are responsive to the needs of the people particularly in projecting the volume of food needed in the future to support the growing population.

PARTNERS

FAO works closely with the Department of Agriculture – Planning and Monitoring Service for the implementation of the project, and collaborates with the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI), National Nutrition Council (NNC), Philippine Statistical Research and Training Institute (PSRTI), and the Provincial Planning and Development Office of the target areas.

KEY PROJECT ACTIVITIES

• Crafting of the national Food Production Strategy for the nine commodities and formulation of six provincial case studies
• Development of the web-based information system
• Training of national government staff on basic statistical and economic concepts and procedures

EXPECTED OUTPUTS

• Food Production Strategy (for nine commodities: rice, sweet potato, hog, tilapia, chicken eggs, squash, papaya, coconut, and mungbean)
• Provincial case studies (for six provinces)
• Web-based information system
• Capacitated national government staff