Food Security

The global food crisis is putting the limelight on the trade-off between food and energy requirements. Senator Miriam was right when she chided Migz Zubiri for pushing legislation for a Biofuels Act that could have adverse effects on food security.

Unabated population growth, growing affluence, crop failures due to climate change, grain production geared towards bio-fuel purposes, and hedge funds pouring into commodities-- the food crisis picture is now much clearer.

Countries around the world are rethinking their biofuel strategies, but then again, increasing crop production to meet growing consumption needs will remain on top of the agenda.

I think small, self-sufficient farms in the provinces are more resilient: they grow their own food. For example, my parents back home never run out of good quality rice (we harvest twice a year), we raise chickens, seafood is plentiful, there's plenty of land for vegetable plots, fruits abound. It is a bit sad that we see these long lines for NFA rice in Manila and other urban areas.