Improvement in food security policy sought

Islamabad
Scope Pakistan and Alliance against Hunger and Malnutrition (AAHM), an international network, on Monday organised a consultative conference here, with the collaboration of Oxfam and ActionAid Pakistan.
Participants included government experts, representative of FAO and members of civil society organisations from all over the country.
Welcoming the participants Tanveer Arif, CEO of SCOPE Pakistan, said that political will is needed from the government and parliamentarians to implement the Pakistan Food Security Policy in its true letter and spirit with the help and consultation of stakeholders particularly the civil society and experts. He said that the food security policy should be a living document. He said that climate change posed a great challenge to resources and food security.
Dr. Ahsan Ullah, from the Ministry of Food Security, presented a detailed analysis of nutritional status of Pakistan, he said that about 43% of children below the age of 5 are malnourished.
Mr. Francisco of FAO said that FAO is committed to support government of Pakistan in conceiving and implementation of the food security policy, he said that the food security policy should remain a living document and keep on improving.
Dr. Shahid Zia, a social scientist and organic agriculture expert, said that our soils are decreasing in nutritional value, drastically which is resulting in less nutritional food and deficiency of micro nutrients among people. Dr. Zia said that small farmers need to be strengthened.
Tahir Husnain of SCOPE, explained that land degradation and desertification is causing an alarming food insecurity among people of Pakistan. He said our food is getting tastier but less in nutrition. He urged that views of civil society organizations have to be incorporated in the policy. He urged that Pakistan should maintain strategic food reserves. Pakistan should attain food sovereignty through sustainable agriculture. He recommended cooperative agriculture model with the full involvement of women. Safety nets to be introduced on the pattern of BISP.
Dr. Tauseef Janjua of Ministry of Food Security, emphasised on capacity development of provincial governments in agriculture and food security. Enabling environment should be created for attaining high production and food security of people. He said that we need to look into environmental destruction.