FAO calls for more food investments in Mindanao

MANILA, Philippines — The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is calling for increased investments in the country, particularly in Mindanao, to address food security, rural development, resilience-building and peace in the area.

As the organization celebrates its 40th year in the country, FAO representative in the Philippines Jose Luis Fernandez said global hunger is on the rise again after a decade-long steady decline.

Fernandez said investments in the systems that address the most basic needs of people should remain a priority.

“We cannot solve poverty, hunger, lack of education, ensure good health for all, achieve lasting peace and build sustainable cities when access to food and livelihoods, especially in rural areas, are not fully addressed,” he said.

“It is imperative we re-evaluate the way we work to ensure we remain responsive to the needs of our time. As we have witnessed over the past four decades, bringing safe, affordable and nutritious food to everyone’s table is as important as it is complex,” Fernandez added.

Vice President Leni Robredo likewise emphasized the urgent need to restore the food supply chain in areas affected by the five-month-long armed conflict in Marawi City.

“The effects of conflict can be felt deeply across the food value chain. That is why the job of rebuilding and reconstructing Marawi will have to take into account the re-establishment of sustainable food systems,” she said.

Over the past 40 years, FAO has implemented more than 400 national projects in the Philippines, reaching over 500,000 farming and fishing families or over 2.5 million people.

FAO continues to focus on strengthening the country’s food and nutrition security, increasing the sustainability and competitiveness of agricultural production, including fisheries and forestry.

It also promotes the sustainable management of the environment and natural resources, while strengthening the country’s resilience to the impacts of climate change, natural and human-induced disasters such as strong typhoons, drought and armed conflict, among others.

The Philippines was among the 34 nations that founded FAO in October 1945 to ensure humanity’s freedom from hunger, increase levels of nutrition, improve the condition of rural populations and contribute toward an expanding world economy.