Food Security among Vegetable Farmers: Implications to Talaandig Culture in Bukidnon, Southern Philippine

Abstract

Food security is a vision for indigenous people who are known to survive and depend on the abundance of their lands. Achieving food security would enable them to the right to self-determination, which includes community building and ancestral domain development. Consequently, this affects their social, political, economic, and spiritual development. Songco is both the center of vegetable production and Talaandig culture in Bukidnon, Philippines. A total of 208 farming households were interviewed and focus group discussions were conducted in various groups to analyze food security among farming households. The Household Food Insecurity Access Scale was used to determine their actual food security level. Three scoring models were used, namely, food insecurity score, food insecurity scale, and self-assessment models; and then linear and ordered logistic regression models were employed. The study found that there is food insecurity even though households can produce enough goods and have abundant supply of vegetables. Also, the results reveal that the cash crop system has brought food insecurity to most farming households. Planting crops with relatively higher return such as celery and sweet pepper contributes to food insecurity. Thus, interventions that revive and enhance cultural practices are recommended in ensuring food security.