Problem
Environmentally unsustainable coconut production
Incidence:
The Philippines used to be regarded as the "rice bowl" of Asia, but today the islands are dependent on rice imports to meet the staple needs of its people. The cost of these imports is met by revenue raised by, among other cash crop commodities, exporting coconut and its derivatives. In theory, the international coconut trade provides stable and high revenue earnings for its producers, but according to Philippine government figures, 75 percent of coconut farmers live below the official poverty line. Increased pressures from the country's land-owning class has meant that traditional peasant land tenureship rights have been superseded by deeds of title held often by absentee landlords. In social terms the expansion of coconut exports has led to the impoverishment of small farmers who twenty years ago were able to secure a good living directly from the land.
Broader Problems:
Unsustainable agricultural development Subject(s):
Development → Sustainable developmentEnvironment → Environment
Industry → Production
Plant Life → Plants yielding oil-related products
Related UN Sustainable Development Goals:
Problem Type:
E: Emanations of other problems Date of last update
18.09.2019 – 16:30 CEST