Agri co-ops seen as solution to hunger

MANILA, Philippines—For the Department of Agriculture, the solution to rising levels of hunger in the country lies in the hands of farmers’ cooperatives.

This is the theme of the Philippine celebration of World Food Day on October 16 led by the agriculture department in partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, officials said on Saturday.

The central theme — “Agricultural cooperatives: key to feeding the world” — was chosen by the FAO to “recognize the role of cooperatives in improving food security and their contribution in eradicating hunger worldwide,” the department said in a statement.

Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala noted how his department has been forging partnerships with farmers’ and fishers’ groups, along with local governments and the private sector, to increase productivity and incomes.

The aim is “sufficient, affordable and nutritious basic food” for everyone, he said, adding that in provincial trips he often encourages small farmers and fishers to organize themselves into cooperatives so they can benefit from the economies of scale.

Farmers’ cooperatives can buy their farm inputs in bulk at a discount, receive concessions when buying farm machinery and equipment, link directly with buyers, and thus enjoy higher prices and forge long-term marketing contracts, he said.

Alcala said farmers’ cooperatives will continue to play a major role and contribution in attaining the Aquino administration’s goal of attaining sufficiency in rice and major staples by end of 2013.

Although the Philippine economy is on the upswing, the incidence of hunger has risen in recent months. A third quarter Social Weather Stations survey showed that 21 percent, or an estimated 4.3 million households, experienced having nothing to eat in the last three months, up from the previous quarter.

Overall hunger rose the sharpest in Metro Manila, the survey showed.

World Food Day is observed annually on October 16, in commemoration of the founding anniversary of the FAO, which was organized in 1945. But it was only in 1981 when the FAO institutionalized the yearly event.

For the Philippine celebration, the Department of Agriculture has invited several of its partner cooperatives to showcase their products at a “tiangge,” or trade fair, at the agency’s central office in Diliman, Quezon City. It will run until October 19.

The culminating program shall be held on October 18 at the Liwasang Aurora in the Quezon Memorial Circle in Quezon City to be attended by Alcala.

Kazuyuki Tsurumi, FAO representative in the Philippines, and Luiza Carvalho, UN resident coordinator and United Nations Development Program representative in the Philippines, are among the expected guests.