PH National Foods Systems – We Are All In This Together

Clearly, I see that with the forthcoming “United Nations Food Systems Summit 2021” in September, each country will be forced to look into what a “food system” is and how to make it work in a country’s favor considering all other countries’ food systems. This is historic.

Above, the “One Apple Image” indicates only that each of the countries of the world has its own food systems – but the image or symbol does not indicate the necessary and unavoidable direct & indirect interactions of those individual countries’ food systems.

Is my country the Philippines any better in her view of her food systems?

Let us look at the contents of the untitled speech delivered by PH Secretary of Agriculture William Dar at the closing ceremonies for the “National Food System Dialogue” on 14 July 2021 at the auditorium of the Bureau of Soils & Water Management (BSWM) in Quezon City. The BSWM is an agency under the Department of Agriculture (DA), which is headed by Mr Dar ex-officio. Mr Dar is also the national coordinator for the Dialogue.

I daresay Mr Dar’s 2^nd paragraph is the essence of the whole speech of a total of 1,605 words; that paragraph I reproduce here with a little editing:

The call of the times (is for) efficient and resilient food production and distribution systems that will allow us to feed our growing population, now and in the future. And as highlighted by your discussions, there are Five Action Tracks through which sustainable food systems are achieved: 1) Ensure access to safe and nutritious food for all; 2) Shift to sustainable consumption patterns; 3) Boost nature-positive production; 4) Advance equitable livelihoods; and 5) Build resilience to vulnerabilities, shocks and (stresses).

The above 80 words taken together tell me that Mr Dar has been thinking on his own – as well as listening to others thinking on their own. My Servant Leader!

Let me now talk about the 5 Action Tracks:

#1: “Ensure access to safe and nutritious food for all.” This is most welcome to me, who is a son of a farmer, an agriculturist and a communicator for development. The phrase “safe and nutritious food” covers much of how food from now on should be produced.

#2 “Shift to sustainable consumption patterns.” I take that to mean avoidance of waste, and finding use/s of waste/s.

#3 “Boost nature-positive production” tells me food growers must obey the laws of Mother Nature, such as replenishment of the soil over time, and multiple cropping.

#4 “Advance equitable livelihoods” – I think this is quite difficult but quite necessary. “The laborer is worthy of his hire” – Luke 10:7, King James Version. His earnings must also be able to help his family survive and thrive.

#5 “Build resilience to vulnerabilities, shocks and stresses” – I look at this as more the obligation of the State.

All the food systems in the world are parts of that collective global food system. All countries must shift to sustainable patterns, both consumption and waste, for the world to survive and thrive.@517