Food Security

The impact of the Global Financial Crisis and the worldwide rice shortage is still being felt in the Philippines, particularly in the more rural areas where poverty is worse. The country is the world’s largest importer of rice. Prices have increased due to the shortage. Many crops, mostly rice, were destroyed when severe storms struck in late 2009 (BBC).

ABM’s Food and Agriculture project supports poor and disadvantaged communities by providing resources to help improve their yields from their crops. Many are subsistence farmers who benefit from increased agricultural production. They are be able to provide more food for their families and sell food.

Most projects funded under this program focuses on reducing farm costs and improving crop quality. This includes supplying agricultural equipment, seeds and fertilizer. Facilities such as rice or corn mills and threshers, solar drying pavements, and grains storage help reduce waste.

Activities such as livestock distribution and small-scale fishing projects help farmers to supplement their meager incomes. They can also feed their own families with fresh produce such as milk and eggs.

This year, three communities (representing 144 households and more than 750 individuals) will receive facilities. Workshops are held on leadership skills, livelihood and enterprise development, organic farming methods and environmental awareness. Community members are also encouraged to work together, take responsibility for the use of the facilities.

The Episcopal Church in the Philippines (ECP) believes that the work must continue so that the needs of marginalised communities are met. In Kalamansig municipality in Sultan Kudarat, Mindanao, where conflict continues to limit the movement of aid and development workers, the Church helps the local community through this program.

This project needs $40,000 in total in 2010.
Donations to this program are tax deductible.

You can Donate Now to this project by selecting Food Security Program in the Philippines from the full project list.

Download a PDF copy of the project information sheet for the Food Security Program in the Philiippines.