HOW CAN WE ACHIEVE FOOD SECURITY BY WAY OF FOOD INDEPENDENCE?

HOW CAN WE ACHIEVE FOOD SECURITY BY WAY OF FOOD INDEPENDENCE?

I was recently invited to a Senate hearing to discuss the impact of rising oil prices on agriculture. I made a simple suggestion: instead of spending billions on imported synthetic fertilizers, why not use that same budget to support locally produced organic fertilizers?

To me, this is not just policy—it is common sense.

We are now facing what I would call a “Catch-22.” If we continue relying on synthetic fertilizers, we risk shortages and skyrocketing prices due to global supply disruptions. But if we shift to organic fertilizers, many farmers hesitate because there is no guaranteed market. In other words, farmers will not produce what no one is willing to buy.

So who breaks this deadlock? The government.

With agencies like the Department of Agriculture holding both the mandate and the budget, the solution is straightforward: guarantee the purchase of organic fertilizers. Once farmers know there is a sure buyer, production will follow. That is how markets work.

Let me put it more bluntly: if our farmers do not eat, we do not eat. If they do not plant, we do not eat.

We must also stop believing that we can simply import food if local production fails. Global supply chains are already under stress. Rising fuel costs, fertilizer shortages, and geopolitical tensions are affecting food availability worldwide. Food imports are no longer reliable safety nets.

Food security, therefore, must mean food independence.

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization, food security exists when all people have access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food at all times. But how can that be achieved if we depend heavily on external sources?

The answer lies in building a self-sustaining local ecosystem.

First, we must diversify what we grow. We cannot depend on rice alone. Root crops like cassava and sweet potato, along with hardy grains like sorghum, can serve as alternative staples, especially during climate shocks. These crops are not only resilient—they are already familiar to many Filipino farmers.

Second, we must embrace a circular agricultural economy. Instead of importing chemical inputs, we should recycle our own resources. Composting, vermiculture, and biofertilizers can convert farm waste into valuable inputs. With simple equipment like shredders, farmer cooperatives can accelerate composting and reduce waste.

This is where institutions like the Cooperative Development Authority can play a major role. Through cooperatives, farmers can pool resources, share equipment, and even market their products collectively.

Third, we must support farmers directly. If we can give financial assistance to other sectors, why not extend the same support to farmers? A modest subsidy—say ₱10,000 per month for a few months—can allow them to plant crops, raise poultry, and sustain their families. That is not charity. That is an investment in national survival.

Fourth, we must integrate technology. Modern farming does not always mean expensive machines. It can mean smarter systems—soil monitoring, efficient irrigation, even agrivoltaics, where solar panels generate energy while crops grow underneath. These innovations reduce costs and increase resilience.

Fifth, we must protect our ecosystems. Food does not come from farms alone. It also comes from forests, rivers, and oceans. Restoring mangroves, for example, strengthens fisheries and protects coastal communities. In a country like ours, food security is both a land and sea issue.

Finally, we must link food independence with energy independence. If we develop biofuels from coconut, nipa, or agricultural waste, we reduce our dependence on imported oil. This lowers production costs and stabilizes food prices.

Of course, critics will say that organic fertilizers are less efficient than synthetic ones. My answer is simple: use more of them. If they are locally produced and cheaper, then the economics still work in our favor.

What we are facing today is not just a crisis—it is an opportunity. An opportunity to shift toward healthier food, more sustainable farming, and a more resilient economy.

The real question is not whether we can afford to pursue food independence.

The real question is: can we afford not to?

RAMON IKE V. SENERES

www.facebook.com/ike.seneres iseneres@yahoo.com senseneres.blogspot.com 09088877282/06-07-2027