The Cacao Project Tackles Food Insecurity in the Philippines RALEIGH, North Carolina — Agriculture is an important sector in many developing countries. Improvements in agriculture can increase food security in developing countries, which in turn, aids people living in poverty. According to the World Bank, transforming the agricultural sector in the Philippines is essential to poverty reduction. Programs such as the Cacao Project play a large role in addressing food insecurity in the Philippines. Addressing Food Insecurity The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) defines food insecurity as “the lack of access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food.” Several factors impact food insecurity across the globe. Individuals struggling with food insecurity often have “low levels of education, weak social networks, limited social capital, low household income” and are unemployed. According to findings from the Food Insecurity Experience Scale (FIES), about 50% of people in low-income countries face food insecurity. Working with communities to create access to job opportunities and create systems in farming and agriculture can help combat levels of food insecurity in developing countries like the Philippines.