The World Food Day was observed by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations (UN) at a local hotel on Tuesday during which the Food Security and Nutrition report was also launched.
The speakers included Taj Hyder Senator Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Mujeeb Sahrai Vice Chancellor Sindh Agriculture University Tando Jam, Hidayatullah Chhajro Director General Agriculture Sindh, Professor Mushtar Mirani, Geneviene Hussain Policy Officer FAO and others.
Senator Taj Hyder, while addressing the ceremony, said that government intends to reduce the price of grains by providing transportation cost to the farmers. He pointed out that how water usage should be standardized, and how it could be used for land improvement and increased production. He emphasized that small farmers should be supported with special focus on women peasants that how they should be uplifted from the poverty. He further said that Benazir Kisan Card will help farmers to reduce their costs. He added that the present government also plans to open and clean the natural waterways as it will help revive the delta, and stop the sea-intrusion. He also spoke about the bio-saline-culture, and cotton research of Karachi University.
Speaking on the occasion, Genevieve Hussain pinpointed that around the world the alarming signs of increasing food insecurity and high levels of different forms of malnutrition are a reminder that we need to continue with our efforts. She told that FAO landed in Pakistan just after its independence and it works with the federal and provincial governments. She warned that the food security is a global challenge.
Masood Lohar, National Program Manager UNDP, said that the situation of Pakistan is lagging behind in achieving the set targets. He said that Phuleli Canal is being polluted by the waste of various types. He pinpointed that the survival of delta needs slit and water. If slit is stopped, then delta will die, and it has reciprocal effects with the monsoon pattern of the country therefore, Indus needs water, and must be in such capacity as to carry the slit. He suggested that the youth should be part of international volunteer opportunities.
Syed Khadim Hussain Shah of World Food Program explained that ending hunger means availability of nutrient food to human being, especially mothers and pregnant women. He apprised the audience that inequality, unjust distribution of resources and wastage were big threats to the nation. He pointed out that there is availability of food in Pakistan, but the question of nutrient food, and its access to everyone was more important to consider.
Dr Mazhar Iqbal, a representative of UNICEF, told that the indicators regarding child and its growth in Pakistan are alarming. He suggested that there is a vital role of the government, agriculture universities and UN organizations to come up with multi-faced and multi-leveled plans to address the issue of food security and its distribution.
Professor Mushtaq Mirani emphasized that large number of people are not accessing the food, and it is all due to wrong policies, strategies and approaches. He reminded that under and over usage of resources leads towards poverty. He reminded that ‘have not’ group is expanding, and its continuous expansion will damage the social fabric of the country.
Noor Ahmed Baloch, Director General Agriculture Research, told that the population growth is a constant challenge for the availability of food and there may be various ways, but some of the worlds’ tested methods are to control the birth rate, explore new avenues and judicial usage of the resources.
Hidayatullah Chhajro, Director General Agriculture Sindh, aired the concern that in the current season, non-availability of the irrigation water is adversely affecting the sowing areas, and it is linked with a low yield thus, situation will lead towards low production or yield per acre.
The scholars, media persons and development practitioners also commented on the launched report which included Jai Parlas Morani, Jaffar Memon, Ishaque Mangrio, G N Mughal, Suleman Abro, and Professor Dr Ghulam Ali Jariko. The event was moderated by Waheed Jamali.
Published in Daily Times, October 18th 2018.