Food Related Legislation in South Asia

Food Related Legislation in South Asia

Partners: Oxfam-GB & SAWTEE

Duration: 2012 to 2013

Team Members:  Shujaat Ali Khan

Introduction:

South Asia is home to the largest number of food insecure people in the world. Food inflation, climate change, rapid population growth and improper legislation are some of the main reasons,  due to which people in  the region are faced with food insecurity and a low level of living standard.

The review of overall ambit of food insecurity situation in Pakistan has been undertaken in the study.  According to the report, laws were reviewed keeping in view different dimension of food security such as food availability, food accessibility, food stability, and food utilization, besides the livelihood aspects of food security. The report highlighted the main features of legislation including strength, and weaknesses.

Objectives:

• To Identify, review and analyse Food Related Legislation in Pakistan.
• To find out its strengths and weaknesses of legislation.
• To recommend an integrated food security policy for country as well as the region of South Asia.

Activities:

• After a review of these laws, a report was prepared  and presented at  a regional consultation on 'Food Related Legislation in South Asia' organized by SAWTEE and OXFAM-GB in Kathamandu, Nepal, in July 2013. Participants from Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka presented their countries' respective reports in the consultation.

Findings:

• There is not any specific legislation in Pakistan, however, some relevant laws in the scattered form are available.
• These laws need to be consolidated to frame a national food security policy.

Recommendations:

• There is a need to devise a legal framework in the form of food security policy to address the food insecurity issue at national level. The national level legislation can then be used to frame an integrated food security policy for south Asia.
• Proper implementation mechanism for food related legislation should also be prepared.
• Need to launch more sustainable food security program and schemes for vulnerable groups at national and provincial level such as long-term food utilization, and nutrition-related programmes, livelihood, opportunities and options both on farm and off farm through skills development.
• Land reforms and enhancement in productivity area is a must.
• Water conservation/ harvesting
• There is also a need for strengthening and expansion of social safety nets’ is a must.
• Targeted input subsidies especially for small farmers.
• Self-employment and small and medium enterprise development through gender mainstreaming.