By Ellalyn de Vera-Ruiz
The Department of Agriculture (DA) remains optimistic that the country has more than enough supply of basic agricultural goods that could last until early next year. Based on the agency's food supply estimates until December 31, 2020, most commodities will end with a surplus, DA spokesperson Noel Reyes said.
Department of Agriculture (MANILA BULLETIN)
It projected a surplus supply of rice for 94 days, corn for 234 days, vegetables for 88 days, fish for two days, and poultry for 233 days. The country, meanwhile, will likely experience shortage of pork by the end of the year.
Reyes pointed out that the country will not have enough pork for 31 days but recommended that the supply of poultry products can fulfill the shortage of pork supply. The DA earlier encouraged consumers to shift to other alternative sources of protein like chicken, ducks, eggs, and processed meat products to meet their protein requirements. Commercial hog raisers have said that there is actually an oversupply at the moment, particularly in Visayas and Mindanao, adding that cold storage facilities are brimming with pork, and there may even be no need to import this year.
"Like any other food commodity, we just need to bring the supply from the source to the areas where they are needed most. That is what we are doing now, and we remain hopeful for better projections in the coming days as we also implement projects to boost local production, under our Plant, Plant, Plant Program or the Ahon Lahat, Pagkain Sapat Kontra COVID-19," DA Secretary William Dar said.
The program aims to intensify the production of agri-fishery commodities to elevate the country’s food adequacy level. Its rice resiliency project is now ready to roll out by providing farmers support on production inputs like free seeds and fertilizers.
Despite the surplus in projections on food supply, Dar said DA will continue to work harder in sustaining food security under the "new normal" in agriculture.