Daily Times

KARACHI: ‘Consecutive droughts, climate change, shortage of water, mismanagement of local natural resources, population growth, dependence on rain-fed agriculture, less importance given to livestock management on scientific basis are the main causes of food insecurity in Thar’

This was said by speakers on the occasion of World Food Day which was observed on Tuesday. According to community based disaster management expert, Dhanani Neel Amber Pakistan is not deemed a ‘food-secure’ state by United Nations (UN) and other international organisations mainly due to an increase in food insecurity in Thar and rural Sindh. Amber attributed the food insecurity in arid and semi-arid areas of Sindh to consecutive droughts, shortage of water, mismanagement of local natural resources, population growth, dependency on rain fed agriculture and less importance given to livestock management on scientific basis. “We will not overcome the issue of food insecurity if we do not educate the people whose livelihood depends on livestock and agriculture regarding the possible effects of climate change and build resilience against it,” added Amber.

Woman community activist, Fatima said that Thari people were facing the issue of food shortage due to scanty monsoon rains. She said that pregnant and lactating women as well as children were suffering a lot because of food insecurity. Fatima said that consecutive droughts had weakened Thari people otherwise they had their own combating mechanisms. She said that pre-drought, the Thari populace used to harvest wild fruits and vegetables, dry them and store them for later. She demanded that the government of Sindh launch a special campaign for drought resistant trees plantation in Thar and women be given the task of nurturing those saplings on a paid basis. “Through this method, we will be introducing trees as a source of nutrition and income for the women of Thar,” she added.

Haji Jeearo Sand, president of Thar Bash’oor Forum described the situation of food insecurity in different parts of Thar desert and demanded that the government provide fodder for livestock.

“People in Thar rely on livestock for sustenance. If there is no livestock, people will lose access to milk, butter and yogurt and that would worsen the malnutrition issue,” explained Sand. He also urged the government to initiative development activities in remote villages of Thar in order to generate employment for the locals.

Jhaman Das said that food items available in local market of Thar were low quality products. He said that even the medicines were of low quality and there was no quality check on these products. “As a result, people of Thar suffer from health conditions,” he shared.

Zareena, Shabana, Rabia and Akber Ali also shared their views and highlighted the importance of World Food Day. On this occasion the importance and benefits of Moringatree were discussed and Moringa plants were distributed among the participants.

Published in Daily Times, October 17^th 2018.