Like in other parts of the world, the World Food Day was also celebrated in Pakistan with a commitment to reduce rural poverty and granting access to food or means to buy food in the country.
The theme of the Day was “Social Protection and Agriculture: Breaking the Cycle of Rural Poverty”.
Speaking on the occasion Minister for MNFSR, Sikandar Hayat Bosan said the government was committed to eradicate poverty and enhance food security at all levels. To achieve this goal the government has planned to launch zero hunger and family farming programs and FAO’s technical expertise and cooperation in this regard will be crucial, he added.
The minister said the government was fully aware of the sufferings of farmers facing challenges of low commodity prices and high input prices. He said the Rs 350 million Farmer Package announced by the Prime Minister would help reduce the cost of production for the farmers.
Secretary MNFSR, Seerat Asghar said historically Pakistan was able to fully benefit from its agricultural base, catering to needs of some 200 million people and is also producing surplus wheat, sugarcane, rice and maize grain.
He said the rich natural resources and bio-adversity allows us to protect large number of fruit and vegetable crops. However he said there was still great potential to enhance productivity of all major crops by using modern agricultural practices.
FAO representative to Pakistan, Patrick T. Evans said almost 80 percent of world’s poor live in rural areas and rely mainly on agriculture for their incomes and food security. Economic growth, especially in agriculture has been essential to driving down rates of hunger and poverty, he added. He however said economic growth does not benefit everyone.
Patrick added that only social protection was not enough as poor and vulnerable households typically face multiple constraints and risks and initiatives.
Stephen Gluning, WFP Pakistan representative said in recent years WFP Pakistan together with the government and partners including GAO and IFAD, has implemented a range of innovative and transformational programmes to address food and nutrition security.
He said WFP embraces Sustainable Development Goal 2 to end hunger, achieve good security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture.
According to him while ending hunger by 2030 may seem a massive goal, the Millennium Development Goals have shown that setting ambitious targets helps galvanize political will and over 200 million people have already been freed from hunger as a result.
“The momentum needs to be maintained and even accelerated under the SDGs in order to make sure no one is left behind, he added”.
