Status of other staple crops as substitute to rice: an assessment in Isabela and Quirino [Philippines]

The main staple food in the Philippines is rice; this is consumed by 90% of its population. The countries per capita consumption of rice was estimated for about 114.6 kilograms in 2012. The continuous growth of population for about 2% per annum might result to food insecurity given that the resources needed for rice production are diminishing incessantly. To cater all the needed source of carbohydrates, there should be an option to augment the problem of any shortages to meet our daily requirement. In other parts of the country, consumption of other staples such as corn, banana (saba), sweet potato (camote), cassava, taro (gabi or tuge) are commonly served as alternate and alternative to rice. The study assessed the status of other staples as substitute to rice in non-rice sufficient municipalities of Isabela and Quirino, where 593 respondents were involved. Data were collected through one on one interview using structured survey questionnaire and analyzed. Respondents are consuming 1 kilogram (67%) of rice daily consisting of 4 member per family. Rice supply is from their own harvest (51%) and retailers (28%) for non rice farmer. Other staples as sources of carbohydrates that include corn, banana, sweet potato, cassava and taro are only consumed for snacks purposes. In another study conducted by the group entitled 'Assessment on the Status of Rice-Corn Eating Households in Region 2', white corn is a staple in the provinces of Cagayan and Isabela. The level of acceptability of eating corn as staple food is high since majority of the respondents had been eating corn since childhood, they said that they already get used to it. They also feel longer which they say is a need specially that they are working for long hours in the farm. It is also good for the health, prevents hypertension and diabetes. And it is much cheaper than rice. Most of the respondents are alternating rice and corn as staple food. Fifteen percent said their yearly food consumption is composed predominantly of corn while 35% answered 50% rice and 50% corn and the remaining 50% said their yearly food consumption is mostly rice. Most of the corn farmers have replaced white corn to yellow corn owing to its profitability. However, some farmers are still planting white corn (native) in smaller portion for family consumption.