HYDERABAD: Rural Support Program Network (RSPN) with support of EU has launched Program for Improved Nutrition (PINS) in 10 districts of Sindh including Dadu.
Addressing the launching ceremony, Agriculture and Food Security Officer Uzma Panhwar said that RSPN with the coordination of Govt of Sind (GOS) will conduct training session for agricultural entrepreneurs and farmers at village level to educate them on livestock and poultry management to tackle malnutrition with multi-pronged strategies.
District Project Officer Gulsher Panhwer PINS said that 1.3 billion tons of food wasted per year. “It is estimated that 40 percent of food wasted in Pakistan and Sindh is worst in food security,” he said adding food insecurity has become one of the major national problems in Pakistan.
According to National Nutrition Survey 2011, 72 percent population is food insecure in Sindh, followed by 63 percent in Balochistan, 59.5 percent in Punjab and 31.5 percent in KPK.
He further said that in Dadu and Jamashoro districts, Thardeep Rural Development Program (TRDP) is implementing PINS Program and is determinant to address the issues with multidimensional approach. “Chances of success of this program are expected to be brighter as the side issues of malnutrition are also being addressed,” he continued.
This program is striving to address health, hygiene and drinking water issues through small water supply schemes and rain harvesting etc. Moreover, innovative agricultural activity like kitchen gardening, introducing bio-fortified, food processing and preservation of food during lean season and adopting different innovative technology, through Field Farmer School approach are being put into place to make the initiative a success. The program is being implemented with active community participation through community organizations, fostered under Sindh Union Council Community Economic Strengthening Support (SUCCESS) Program.
Mr Abdul Majeed Jamali, Taluka Municipal Committee Chairman said that training of farmers and agricultural entrepreneurs will help in reducing malnutrition in rural area of Dadu district.