The essence of agriculture and food production during COVID 19 pandemic

By Dr. Rex Casiple

 

The latest survey on courses popular to students and in schools in Western Visayas and in almost all regions in the country showed that Agriculture and Fisheries remained in the bottom rank of all disciplines in higher education. Agriculture education assumes an important role in the improvement of food production in the country and will be the key component of our overall national and global economy for as long as our people need to eat. Agriculture provides the needs of the domestic economy and could create economic stability while providing long-term and stable employment to our people in the country today.

Many food experts said that after COVID-19, the issue of global food shortage or food production will take place as hundreds of millions of children and adults worldwide will be craving for food. Many lost their income during this pandemic period and food prices continue to rise.

According to the latest data from the United Nations (UN) as many as 132 million may go hungry in 2020 as a result of the pandemic. According to the World Bank, the pandemic’s economic impact could push about 100 million people into extreme poverty. Due to pandemic, many basic food producers might not be able to plant and produce a good harvest this year. This will translate into a lack of food later this year and in the year 2021.

The increase in food prices was due to an increase in demand for food during this COVID-19 outbreak. Food markets will face more months of uncertainty as the pandemic is expected to further weaken the food security. The key markets for many producers were reduced due to closures of restaurants and street food outlets. According to Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), global food prices continued to rise. In some countries identified by FAO food prices increased from 20% to 50% since March this year. The most affected countries due to COVID 19 pandemic are those food import-dependent countries that struggle to buy food.

Agricultural workers are working to feed the world.  Hence, coordinated policy responses are needed to support the working conditions of millions of agricultural workers.

The Philippine agriculture was observed in the past as not performing to its potential and therefore not fully delivering to the national and local economy. The new strategic vision for the agricultural sector is a food-secure and resilient Philippines with prosperous farmers and fisherfolks.

The Philippines is an agricultural country with more than one-half of Filipino people still living in rural areas and following various livelihood options to support themselves through agriculture. In addition to our geographical and archipelagic advantage, our agricultural land of around 30 million hectares are blessed with fertile soil and an ideal growing weather.

Agriculture provides employment to a large number of Filipinos especially those in the countryside that depend on agriculture for their livelihood such as farming, fishing, mining and raising livestock. Agriculture plays an important role in the country’s effort to survive and achieve economic development in the midst of this COVID-19 pandemic.

Agricultural modernization is the process of transforming the agricultural sector into one that is dynamic, technologically advanced, and competitive, yet centered on human resource development and guided by sound principles. Integrating these aspects of Modern Agriculture in basic education and higher education curricula during this pandemic period is a must.

A number of global trends during this pandemic period are inducing food security, poverty, and food sustainability. To meet these challenges a concerted effort by the governments, investors, and innovative agricultural technologies is urged. The government plays an important role in solving food scarcity issues now and in the years to come, caused by this COVID-19 pandemic, through modern agriculture.