FOOD SECURITY

Just come to think of it and which are already known to each one - there are several levels of "food security" often discussed or encountered in our day-to-day lives. Let us enumerate them:

First, "personal food security level". As a human being we are concerned with what food we shall eat, where to get it, how to get it and by what means - hunting, harvesting, buying, sharing, partying, sampling or begging. This is a personal level and its impact is not so much on the ability to eat but more on what a person takes in to supposedly nourish his body and live. Eat junk foods and have an unbalanced diet, and for sure, you will get what you deserve at the proper time. Eat nutritious and insure having a balanced diet, coupled with exercise, and at the end of they day, you will reap the good fruits of your labor.

Second, "family or household food security level". Adopting the first level discussion, the additional issue is whether the means employed was "clean and honest" or "dirty and corrupt". Though we know that other than principles and conscience, what is the difference or distinction then particularly its effect on the body and our health? Is it not a "clean and honest" lechon may be bad for a hypertension, heart and diabetic patient while a "dirty and corrupt" vegetable and bland dish may be good for said person? Well, Divine Justice would intervene here. It is thus best to take care of one's spiritual health and the physical health together. Giving more emphasis on the former.

Third, "national food security". This is quite complicated. Many factors are involved and this requires the participation and cooperation of the entire nation. Let us start with the farmer who plants and harvests. The government which researches and introduces methods and technologies, regulates the processing and manufacturing systems, protects and guides consumers, provides farm to market roads including irrigation and marketing assistance, and creates or constructs other necessary infrastructures to insure that food reaches the family table safely and safe for the palate. The manufacturers, producers, packagers, marketers, transporters, culinary artists, nutritionist, and the vendors as well as consumers, among others, have their respective roles to perform or carry out. We must also consider environmental and natural resources protection, climate change, fertilizer and pesticide regulation, water supply, plant propagation, animal husbandry, fisheries and agro-industrial development, agricultural extension, price monitoring, etc. It is the mandate of the State to insure national food security to more than 80 million Filipinos.

Fourth, "regional food security". Truly, no man is an island. Countries must cooperate with one another and it is inevitable that the principle of interdependence is more a reality than theoretical as it was mistaken before or at least, not really believed at seriously. "Regional" may refer to ASEAN, Latin America, European Nations, African Nations, Middle East countries, North American Nation, Australia and New Zealand, Pacific Islands, Eastern Bloc, Korean Peninsula, Japan and China, etc. A crisis in a member country may affect the region and eventually, the whole world.

Fifth, "world food security level". This tackles food and agriculture, as well as the distribution of food and sufficiency of food supply in all countries. The United Nations recognize its importance and for which reason, FAO has been established. Collectively, hunger is a concern addressed by efforts to insure world food security since hunger has always been the common reason for wars and civil unrest or revolutions.

Imagine, the sinangag, itlog na maalat, kamatis with patis, tuyo, longganisa and tsokolate that you eat have all come a long way and people were involved before they reached your breakfast table.

We have all the reasons to thank God for !