Press Release
April 24, 2011

S&T, INNOVATION TO ADDRESS FOOD SECURITY -- ANGARA

Senator Edgardo J. Angara said that the government can address the issues brought by the problems of food security with the implementation of innovative S&T based projects and the continued cooperation of government, academe and industry.

Angara, Chair of the Congressional Commission on Science Technology and Engineering (COMSTE) is looking to develop a strategic plan that involves using S&T to address critical issues like rising food costs and lower farm output.

He lauded a De La Salle University (DLSU) that will put up a Food Institute with the, "purpose of education, research, innovation and transfer of technology in the different areas of study along the food-supply chain."

The project, a consortium between the Institut Polytechnique LaSalle Beauvais of France and the eight Lasallian Institutions belonging to De La Salle Philippines, aims to cement solid research and development (R&D) in the areas of food and health.

According to Dr. Jose Santos Carandang, DLSU Biology professor, one of the principles behind the De La Salle Food Institute is to stimulate the economy through the creation of new activities in the food-supply chain and by transforming locally produced commodities before exports for added value instead of exporting raw materials.

The former DA head mentioned that COMSTE is also working on plans to help develop improved farm to market logistics as well as creating more resilient agricultural systems that can withstand climate change.

Angara suggested some food security measures that the Philippines can adopt. In the short-term, he said the government must install post-harvest facilities to curb wastage which can readily cover supply shortfalls, as well as rehabilitate 800,000 hectares of irrigation canals in disrepair.

Angara reiterated that long-term solutions entail investing in agricultural infrastructure and R&D. He said that COMSTE is looking into Aquaculture and fishing industries that could possibly provide a high protein diet for Filipinos and at the same time enlarge an export market that can create more jobs.

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