FAO wants more food investments in Mindanao

MANILA, Philippines — The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has called for an increase in investments in the Philippines, particularly in Mindanao.

“We cannot solve poverty, hunger and lack of education, ensure good health for all, achieve lasting peace and build sustainable cities when access to food and livelihood especially in rural areas is not fully addressed,” Jose Luis Fernandez, FAO representative in the Philippines, said.

Fernandez said bringing safe, affordable and nutritious food to everyone’s table is “as important as it is complex,” noting that global hunger is on the rise again after  a steady decline in the past decade.

In a speech during the celebration of the 40th anniversary of FAO in the country, Vice President Leni Robredo stressed the need to restore the food supply chain in areas affected by the fighting in Marawi.

Robredo said the rehabilitation of Marawi should consider the re-establishment of sustainable food systems.

FAO has implemented over 400 projects in the Philippines that benefited more than 500,000 families of farmers and fishermen or over 2.5 million people.

The agency focuses on strengthening the country’s food and nutrition security as well as increasing the sustainability and competitiveness of agricultural production, including fisheries and forestry. It also promotes the sustainable management of the environment and natural resources while strengthening the country’s resilience to the impacts of climate change, natural and human-induced disasters.

The Philippines is among the 34 nations that founded FAO in October 1945.