POPA and the vegetable imperative

By Ted Aldwin Ong

I eat fish and vegetables most of the time, and I used to think that was enough. But I recently found out it might not be. I may not even be one of the two in every 10 Filipino adults who meet the recommended global daily intake of vegetables, which is 329 grams a day.

Surprising as it may appear, 2024 data shows that the average Filipino consumes only around 60 kilograms of vegetables per year, just half of the global average of 120 kilograms. In stark contrast, countries like Laos report an impressive 213 kilograms per capita, while Vietnam and Thailand also show significantly higher averages at around 169 and 150–160 kilograms per year, respectively. I’m not certain where Ilonggos stands on these statistics.

This shortfall revealed by a survey of the Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI) places the Philippines among the lowest in vegetable consumption across ASEAN vis-a-vis globally, highlighting a significant gap in the nation’s nutritional habits, raising concerns about long-term health outcomes and the need for stronger dietary education and accessibility to fresh produce.

Although the Philippines ranked among the top three producers of vegetables and melons in 2024, following Vietnam and Indonesia, Larry P. Nacionales, Chairman of the POPA Agriculture Cooperative, noted that the country’s modest gains in vegetable production have yet to translate into improved per capita consumption or better nutrition outcomes. Despite its strong agricultural output, the Philippines remains near the bottom among ASEAN countries in terms of vegetable consumption, highlighting a persistent gap in dietary habits and access to nutritious food.

Clearly, as the numbers have shown, “we still have a long way to go when it comes to eating enough vegetables for our health,” he said, and imagine that while “basic vegetables can readily be grown in our backyard, we are lagging behind as far as vegetable production and consumption is concerned compared to our neighboring countries.”

This was precisely the point emphasized by Nacionales in explaining why Iloilo will be hosting the National Vegetable Congress this coming November, for the first time since the event’s inception in 2015. Previously held in Benguet (2015), Tarlac (2016), Bukidnon (2017), and Cebu (2019), the congress has become an instrumental platform for shaping national policy. It has also promoted the integration of heritage and traditional farming practices with cutting-edge technologies in vegetable cultivation. Since its launch, the event has served as a vital venue for knowledge sharing and market networking between vegetable growers and the government, particularly through the Department of Agriculture.

The Congress, which will be held in Barotac Nuevo, aims to confront a range of deeply rooted challenges that continue to hinder the growth of vegetable consumption and production in the region. At the forefront of these issues is affordability. For many Ilonggo households, in particular, and Filipinos in general, vegetables are often perceived as non-essential items, especially when budgets are tight and income levels remain low. This perception contributes to poor dietary choices and limits access to essential nutrients.

Compounding the affordability issue are persistent access and infrastructure problems. Gaps in the supply chain, ranging from post-harvest spoilage to inadequate cold storage and poor distribution networks, leads to significant losses and drive up prices, making fresh vegetables even less accessible for consumers both in the Province and City of Iloilo.

The congress also hopes to address cultural preferences that have become meat-centered and fried meals with minimal vegetable content. These ingrained dietary habits, shaped by the busy lifestyle and fast food market, presents a significant barrier to increasing vegetable intake across all age groups.

Another enduring and critical issue is the lack of awareness about the nutritional benefits of vegetables. Weak nutrition education and limited public campaigns have left many people unaware of just how essential vegetables are to health and well-being. While schools have made some progress in improving nutrition programs, the presence of food stalls, carinderias, and fast-food outlets in their immediate surroundings often sends a conflicting message—one that undermines efforts to promote healthier eating habits.

On the production side, the congress will spotlight agricultural policy gaps, particularly the underinvestment in local vegetable farming and innovation. Without adequate support for farmers, research, and modern cultivation techniques, the sector struggles to meet domestic demand, let alone improve the quality and variety of vegetables available in the market.

Through collaborative dialogue among farmers, policymakers, educators, and industry stakeholders, the National Vegetable Congress seeks to develop integrated, actionable strategies to overcome these barriers; a regional roadmap will be formulated making vegetables not just more available and affordable, but a central part of the diet and agricultural future.

Over the years that I have worked with POPA, I have seen the organization make significant investments in environmentally sustainable farming, particularly through the adoption of Good Agricultural Practices and organic systems. These efforts have contributed to scaling up the production of a wide range of agricultural and livestock products, including rice, coffee, cacao, coconut, vegetables, various fruits, and even ornamental plants, among others. POPA has also successfully hosted several national events, consistently demonstrating its trademark collaborative approach, bringing together nearly all relevant stakeholders to address pressing concerns and work toward practical, consensus-driven solutions.

In a world dominated by fast, processed food, vegetables represent care, connection, and sustainability. As the Slow Food Movement puts it, they are more than just food, vegetables are linked to culture, health, and nature, touching on vital issues like nutrition, the environment, food justice, and heritage.

This is what makes the upcoming National Vegetable Congress so important. More than just a conference, it’s a call to action: to elevate the role of vegetables in our diets, farms, and policies.  If we are to build a food system that nourishes both people and the planet, this Congress will be a critical step forward, and a success we all have a stake in.