DA urged to step up efforts to attain food sufficiency

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Agriculture (DA) must give more urgency to its food self-sufficiency and security program in the light of increasing global food production shortages as a result of climate change and other factors.

Ric Pinca, executive director of the Philippine Association of Flour Millers (PAFMIL), said the DA should encourage the local production of corn and soybeans which together comprise about 85 percent of animal feeds.

According to Pinca, corn is an alternative to rice and it ease pressure on rice production.

Pinca pointed out that food security has become more imperative in the face of what is happening to wheat.

Global production of wheat for 2010/2011 is projected to decrease by five percent to 645 million metric tons due to the effect of climate change which has ruined wheat production in Russia due to a prolonged drought, severe winter in Canada and flooding in Australia and Pakistan.

According to Pinca, wheat prices have doubled from of $4.48-$4.80 per bushel nine months ago to around $9.20/bushel.

Locally, Pinca said, flour prices have already moved up to P850 per 25 kilogram bag from P800/25 kg bag six months ago.

Although he was reluctant to make any further projection, Pinca would not discount the possibility that flour prices could reach as high as P900/25 kg bag.

Historically, flour prices have reached a high of almost P1,000 per 25 kg bag in 2008.

As a consequence, Pinca warned that local bread prices would continue to rise.

Based on bakers’ calculations, a P40 increase in the price of flour would result in a P1 increase in the price of loaf bread and for a 50-centavo increase in the price of 10 pieces of pandesal.