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Economic and spatio-temporal analysis of food and nutrition security in Mindanao, Philippines
Dissertation Abstract:
Despite efforts to address hunger and malnutrition, pockets of food and nutrition insecurity persist in Mindanao. This study examined the economic and spatio-temporal aspects of macro level food and nutrition security (FNS) in Mindanao, focusing on availability, accessibility, utilization, stability, and agricultural sustainability dimensions. Using 20-year panel data, the study analyzed cross-regional differences and constructed FNS dimensional and multidimensional indices for two policy regimes (2000-2010 and 2011-2020). The research applied descriptive statistics, principal component analysis (PCA), ANOVA, t-test, panel regression models, GeoDa, and Moran's I for analysis. Key findings revealed significant improvements in the region's socio-economic, demographic, physical, and institutional characteristics between the two policy regimes. Mindanao has made modest progress in FNS, transitioning from FN insecurity to a moderate FN secure state. However, food availability remained a persistent challenge. The regional and provincial-level FNS indices show varying levels of progress, with SOCCSKSARGEN consistently ranking highest and Caraga ranking lowest. The top-performing provinces include Cotabato, Bukidnon, South Cotabato, and Sultan Kudarat, while Sulu, Dinagat Islands, Agusan del Norte, Surigao del Norte, and Basilan lag behind. Factors such as period (policy dummy), wage rate, population, enrollment, employment rate, income, social services expenditure, provincial debt, and extension services significantly influence FNS dimensions and multidimensional FNS. Spatial analysis revealed some spatial variability and clustering of provinces based on FNS dimension indices. It is recommended that policymakers and stakeholders in Mindanao prioritize interventions to address persistent challenges in food availability. Efforts should also be directed towards sustaining the improvements in FNS through strengthening agricultural investment and enhancing technology adoption, continued policy reforms aligned with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG), and engagement in multi-sectoral collaboration to take advantage of the collective expertise, resources, and experiences among regions and provinces.