Data on production and consumption show that food security programs in the Philippines have been successful. This may be true at the national level. Available nutrition information also shows that this food security status may not have been translated to nutrition security at the household level. Aside from the prevalent poverty incidence and an alarming population growth in the country, threats to food security had been numerous.
Main threats to future food production include the environmental degradation of agricultural land and aquatic resources, impact of climate change, the conversion of agricultural lands to other uses, and the weak institutional set-up for agricultural extension.
Food security drivers in the Philippines include investments in research and development, a more efficient market and food distribution system and nutrition awareness. Initiatives to implement the drivers include programs and projects by international agencies, national agencies, as well as civil society groups, including the farmer and women organizations.
The need for a national sustainable land use plan to stop the decimation of the agricultural prime lands, sustaining the agricultural and coastal resource base through strategies such as agro-ecological farming/organic farming, strengthened extension system to promote a food systems approach, and a more efficient and modern agricultural marketing and food distribution system are considered as critical areas of intervention to address food security in the Philippines.