Implementation of national agricultural development goals was given a different impetus with the enactment of two landmark laws – the Local Government Code (RA 7160) and the Agricultural Fishery Modernization Act of 1997 (RA 8435). This paper is an attempt to understand more clearly, the role of, and constraints faced by Local Government Units in the pursuit of food security objectives. The analysis was done with the premise that food security is not the same as food self-sufficiency. Rather, it is the availability and affordability of food to all citizens in the country. Within this context, production of food (which mainly addresses the supply-side) is necessary, but not a sufficient condition for achieving food security especially at the household level. Poverty alleviation and income generation (which address the demand-side) are equally important elements. The paper argues that LGUs are effective convergence points for the often- disjointed national programs that ultimately lead to the achievement of food security. But more work has to be done in institutional and human resource development.
