Pakistan’s first Food Security Policy launched

ISLAMABAD: Minister for National Food Security and Research, Sikandar Hayat Khan Bosan Tuesday launched the first ever National Food Security Policy framework to provide a mechanism to address all four components of food security including food availability, accessibility, utilization and stability.

The policy envisages achieving its objectives through alleviation of poverty, promotion of sustainable food production systems-by achieving an average growth rate of 4% per annum, and making agriculture more productive, profitable, climate resilient, and competitive.

“Food availability will be ensured through increase in production of food items,” the Minister said while addressing a press conference here.

He said a national food security council is being set up under the chairmanship of the Prime Minister with the chief ministers and representatives from relevant government agencies to review the state of food security and take appropriate policy measures.

“The comprehensive strategy and action plan for addressing the food security issues in collaboration with national and international partners are also being deliberated at the ministry of national food security and research”, he added.

Mr Bosan pointed out that measures will be taken to improve farmers’ access to quality inputs such as seed, fertilizers, pesticides, credit etc.

Furthermore, he said improved farm techniques Good Agriculture Practices (GAP) will also be promoted and issues like land and water management will also be addressed.

He said the government had also formulated and formally launched the first ever water policy, which became especially important in the wake of climate change and water shortages.

According to the policy framework, research will also be one of priority areas to address the emerging challenges of climate change, water stress, pests and diseases and other challenges.

Under the policy framework, federal and provincial governments would collaborate to harness best utilization of available resources to modernize agricultural production and improve accessibility of the people to food.

The accessibility of the food will be increased through market support initiatives and for a marginalized group of the society will be addressed by launching programs like national zero hunger program.

Food utilization aspect will be covered through food safety measures while food stability will be handled by providing quality production and trade, emergencies and disaster management, innovation and knowledge disseminating and policy support.