Agricultural and Resource Economics Commons^™

Addressing Food Security: Saba Banana And Rootcrops As Alternative Food Staples To Rice In Quezon Province, Philippines, Isabelita M. Pabuayon, Blanquita R. Pantoja, Anselma C. Manila, Mac Lorenz C. Santos

Journal of Public Affairs and Development

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. Socioeconomic 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. …