FAO calling for focus on PH’s healthier crops

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is urging the Philippines to enhance its support for other crops such as vegetables to promote healthier eating nationwide, potentially reversing at least billions or up to trillions of pesos in losses fueled by noncommunicable diseases.

- By DEXTER BARRO II

FAO Representative in the Philippines Lionel Dabbadie said the typical diet of having rice combined with food that is either fried or cooked with excess oil only contributes to diseases such as diabetes and heart attack.

Dabbadie said the cost of these noncommunicable diseases for the Philippines is equivalent to seven percent of gross domestic product (GDP).

This is equivalent to around $33 billion or ₱1.88 trillion, based on the estimated nominal GDP of the country last year, at $471.5 billion, by the Washington-based International Monetary Fund (IMF).