Alcala sees opportunity for local food sector

MANILA, Philippines - Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala sees the current world food situation as an opportunity for the Philippines to supply other nations with some of their food needs.

In a recent television interview with NBN-4 and a separate interview with agriculture reporters, Alcala likewise allayed fears that the recent earthquake, tsunami and nuclear fallout experienced by Japan would affect world food prices as it would now have to import some of its food requirements.

According to Alcala, he does not see any price impact resulting from the loss of food production from Japan and its need to import and, thus, compete with other countries.

Tsunamis spawned by the magnitude 9 earthquake off the coast of Japan, devastated various croplands in northeastern Japan.

In the case of rice, for instance, Alcala pointed out, Japan prefers short grain rice which it would source from the United States.

Filipinos prefer long grain rice which is produced in Vietnam, Thailand and Pakistan.

On possible radiation contamination from Japan, Alcala likewise allayed fears that it could affect the country.

Japan has already noted higher radiation levels in milk and spinach in some Japanese farms located near the stricken Fukushima nuclear plant.

In fact, Alcala believes that in the long run, the radiation fears in Japan would be an opportunity for the Philippines to supply the stricken nation with more of its food needs.

Because the Philippines is still an agriculture-based country, Alcala was optimistic that the country is in a good position to produce more to supply the food needs of other countries.

According to Alcala, “in the long run, they might need more food and we have the capability to produce.”

As such, Alcala noted, “fears of a global food crisis serves as an opportunity for the Philippines to shine because we can produce. We can supply their needs.”

However, Alcala stressed the need for the agriculture sector “to integrate production so that we can export our products.”