Addressing Food Security: Saba Banana and Rootcrops as Alternative Food Staples to Rice in Quezon Province, Philippines
Abstract
The Philippines considers rice self-sufficiency as vital to food security; hence, possible alternative food staples are being identified in case of persistent shortfalls in domestic rice production. This paper explores the potential of Saba (cardava) banana, sweet potato, potato, yam, and cassava as alternative staples for the local communities in the Quezon province, Philippines, which grow all these crops. Socio-economic surveys of 375 farmers, 82 traders, and 625 consumers were conducted in 2013 but covered crop year 2012. Results showed that Saba banana, sweet potato, and cassava had the highest demand among the five crops based on per capita consumption. These crops ranked top three in terms of possible substitutes for rice. However, willingness to substitute is largely for breakfast and relatively less for other meals. While findings indicated a demand for alternative crops, average yield per hectare and production per farm of each of the five crops were low as compared with the provincial average. Despite low production levels, a greater proportion of total produce was marketed reflecting the crops’ marketability and potential as additional income source. Recommendations on how to intensify production and to encourage rice substitution particularly with Saba banana, sweet potato, and cassava are forwarded
