Cheap food no more

Published by the Visayan Daily Star Publications, Inc.

NINFA R. LEONARDIA Editor-in-Chief & President

CARLA P. GOMEZ Editor GUILLERMO TEJIDA III Desk Editor NANETTE L. GUADALQUIVER Busines Editor NIDA A. BUENAFE Sports Editor RENE GENOVE Bureau Chief, Dumaguete MAJA P. DELY Advertising Coordinator

CARLOS ANTONIO L. LEONARDIA Administrative Officer

“The era of cheap food is over”, this is what Rajat Nag, the managing director of the Asian Development Bank told Singapore’s Foreign Correspondents Association. Nag cited numerous reasons for the surge in rice prices, not only because stocks are at their lowest level in decades, but also due to growing disposable incomes, high fuel prices and production costs, erratic weather, and stagnant yields. The ADB stressed that it believes the situation in Asia is marked by very high food prices, and not supply shortages. It also encouraged Asian governments not to overreact by resorting to market-distorting curbs on exports, which it compared to hoarding.

The comments from the ADB echoed the recent statements by the International Monetary Fund and the United Nations, urging countries to ensure more funds in the hands of the poor to buy food, instead of resorting to protectionist trade barriers.

Now that more and more respected international institutions are confirming that cheap food has become a thing of the past, it is imperative that the government face this serious problem with a long-term view instead of quick fixes, temporary solutions, and dole outs. Aside from protecting ourselves from dependence on imports by ensuring self-sufficiency through the long overdue overhaul of an agricultural sector that was allowed to go into neglect, the government must also refocus its efforts on getting more income into the hands of the marginalized sectors of society. The trickle-down effect of the allegedly booming economy, that many have been complaining to be non-existent, has to be felt by the majority of the population in order to survive without depending on government dole-outs if food prices do continue to rise.

The conditions that have caused the price increases of food look like they are here to stay. The era of cheap food is over and it is the responsibility of governments to adapt to this changing situation and look after the best interests of their people. Let us hope that the Philippine government is up to the task.*