The proposed federal budget shows a sharp shortfall in allocations for food security and industry sectors, as officials recommended only Rs7.2 billion against a combined demand of Rs117 billion for key development projects. According to budget documents, the Ministry of National Food Security is set to receive Rs3.2 billion, while the Ministry of Industries and […]
food security
‘Small yet beautiful’ stories deepen roots in China-Pakistan agricultural cooperation
During a trip to Wuhan, Central China’s Hubei Province, with a delegation of Pakistani media professionals and think tank representatives, I spoke with a Pakistani journalist on the bus. I told him that I hoped to find a “small yet beautiful” story of China-Pakistan cooperation during the trip — one that could illustrate how the […]
Super El Nino threat adds pressure on Asia
Asian countries already facing economic and energy challenges linked to Middle East instability are now preparing for the possible arrival of a strong El Nino weather event that could worsen regional pressures. Read More: Super El Nino threat raises flood fears across Pakistan The United Nations’ weather agency has warned that El Nino conditions may develop […]
UN warns of global food crisis over Hormuz disruption
NEW YORK: The United Nations (UN) has warned of a looming global food crisis if disruption in the Strait of Hormuz continues, highlighting the critical role of the route in global energy and agricultural supply chains. Read More: Famine lifted in Gaza, but food crisis continues, UN warns Maximo Torero, chief economist at the Food and Agriculture Organization, said time […]
Global energy, food security — another casualty of war on Iran
Iranian aerial attacks have caused extensive damage to the world’s largest gas plant in Qatar, targeted a refinery in Saudi Arabia, forced the UAE to shut gas facilities and set off fires at two Kuwaiti refineries. Tehran’s retaliation against Israeli attacks on its own gas facilities marks a further escalation of the nearly three-week war. […]
Mechanised farming termed vital for food security
Former Livestock Minister and progressive farmer Mumtaz Khan Manais said that amid the situation of decreasing agricultural land, low per acre productivity and food insecurity concerns, it is prerequisite to promote mechanization and latest agricultural practices to ensure food for ever-increasing population. He was talking to a delegation of University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF) experts […]
Bilawal dubs wetlands as lifelines of environment, food security
Chairman of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has described wetlands as the lifelines of our environment, food security and climate resilience, and called for urgent collective action to safeguard them, warning that when wetlands are destroyed, nature is silenced and it is always the poorest and most vulnerable who pay the highest price. […]
Economic Coordination Committee approves offloading of 0.8m tonnes of wheat
The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet on Wednesday approved the offloading of 800,000 tonnes of wheat amid concerns over mounting storage costs and alleged waste of public funds linked to imported stocks accumulated since 2021-22. Read More: ECC clears over Rs 15 billion for defence, IT, social and digital initiatives The Economic Coordination […]
Pakistan seeks Australian support to raise farm productivity
Pakistan has sought Australian technical assistance to improve agricultural and livestock productivity, including the establishment of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD)-free zones, as part of efforts to boost farm yields and farmer profitability. Read More: Pakistan, Australia launch water prog The initiative was discussed during a meeting between Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Rana Tanveer […]
Sindh cuts wheat issue price, mills agree to lift stocks
Roller flour mills and chakki owners in Sindh have reluctantly agreed to lift wheat from the food department’s godowns after the provincial government revised the issue price downward, officials and industry representatives said on Thursday. The food department has fixed the wheat issue price at Rs8,000 per 100kg bag, reducing it from the earlier rate […]