Entrepreneurial Farmer

Ambrosio R. Villorente

Human Population Increases,

Food Supply Decreases

In year 2003, each Filipino shared 28.5 kilos of fish. Not anymore today, Only 10 kilos of fish are available to each Filipino annually. In nine years, the average fish available per capita per year has decreased by 18.5 kilogams or 64 percent. This is too much, too rapid diminution.

The decrease amount of fish available to each Filipino is cause by both human population increase and the decrease in fish production.

This is unbelievable but true. The Philippines, being an archipelago composed of several thousands islands is short of fish. It is hard to imagine why the Philippines is importing fish abroad when six for every 10 Filipinos live in the coastal area.

In Aklan for instance, of the 17 towns 12 are situated in coastal areas. Only Banga, Libacao, Madalag, Malinao, and Lezo are located inland.

Aklan must be self sufficient in fish. But no, for some fishes sold and eaten in Aklan are coming from other places like Capiz, Antique, and Batangas.

Other than increase population growth that resulted to increase food consumption, fish catch and production also decreased because of some destructive fishing methods being practiced and environmental pollution.

These resulted to the importation of about 800,000 metric tons of fish from abroad last year. There is now a proposal from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources to ban fishing in 13 fishing areas to give way for rehabilitation and to restore the usual quality and quantity fishermen used to harvest in those areas.

In his book, “World on the Edge” - Lester Brown wrote, “four fifths (4/5) of ocean fishers is overfished and is headed for collapse” as it is overfished.

Cited overfished in the Philippines are Sulu Sea, Tubbatuba reef, Visayan Sea, Panay Gulf, and Bohol Sea among others.

But it is admitted, more people, more food consumption. Efforts are exerted to balance the number of increase of people with the resources available and sustainable. But success seems elusive as the number of people is increasing while the resources available to maintain a normal life is diminishing.

In Aklan, statistics show, many of the Aklanons are becoming poorer everyday. The advances being gained in the twin program of LGU Aklan in agriculture and tourism is still to filter to the people province wide.

While Aklan is an ideal fishing ground, the fishermen must be guided in scientific fishing for both inland culture and deep sea fishes. There is a massive campaign on environmental care, preservation and improvement, but effort seems not enough.

Most food like chicken meat and eggs, beef and pork are inadequate and importation from other provinces are done to provide the actual demand.

The livestock farmers must be very well guided along this line through LGU agriculture extension program.

Fruits and vegetables produced in Aklan are short, farmers must be guided to produce these food stuffs.

Aklan, a very important tourists destination and for the Aklanons to gain in tourism industry, they must have something to sell to the visitors.

If the Aklanons remain consumers and nothing to sell, they are the willing victims of the tourist industry as they will experience high prices in both goods and services. /MP