Focus on the Global South - Philippines Programme

The Philippine Vegetable Industry Almost Comatose
By Carlos Aquino


The Philippine vegetable industry has been ill for so many years now but it was only in year 2002 that the pain has been felt. From production to marketing, the Philippine vegetable industry is infected with a complex strain of technological and economic virus. Lacking strength and vigor due to the further weakening of its immunity, the Philippine vegetable industry now finds itself highly vulnerable and susceptible to the attack of the virulent imported vegetables.

What ails the Philippine vegetable industry? What are the threats to its existence? How long can the vegetable industry stay alive? These are just some of the morbid issues that the Philippine vegetable industry has to confront.
The Philippine Vegetable Industry: Not the Ordinary Garden Variety

Ubiquitous, delicious, and nutritious, vegetables not only contribute to the maintenance of a healthy life. The growing of vegetables, in fact, contributes to regional and national economic health as well.

For instance, the Cordillera region is dependent on the vegetable industry. In fact, it is a major contributor in CAR