Pakistan Observer
Published Date: Mar 21, 2012
MIN NFSR 6-DAY WORKSHOP ON FOOD SECURITY
A six-day strategic workshop on “Food Security in Pakistan: Future Challenges and Coping Strategies” started here from March 16 under the aegis of Ministry of National Food Security and Research (NFSR). Speaking on the occasion, Joint Secretary NFSR, Saleem Sajjad said the aim of organizing of workshop to discuss the challenges and problems faced by the country.
While solving the issue of food security and find a way to move forward to ensure availability of food to every one at affordable price. He said the ministry had invited international and national experts to garner their intellect towards an improved food security policy.
“The discussion will be fruitful and it will produce a set of guidelines and work plan for addressing the food security challenges in the country”, he added. An expert of World Food Program (WFP) Rome, Martin Bloem said the economic stability could be possible in any country of the world, if the food security should be ensured with availability at affordable price. He said in the country there were many experts working on different projects and developing the strategies for the food security. Another expert of WFP, John Seelo said the establishment of ministry of food security was quite encouraging of the development of the country. He said that it will address the issues related food security including recession of food in the country and the workshop will help in shaping policy and strategy of food security problems in the country.
Executive Director, Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) Islamabad, Dr. Abid Qaiyum Suleri said on the occasion that the food security challenges could be solved, when three indicators were focused closely including availability of food, access to consumers and utilization. “Water shortage and climate change are major challenges for the world for solving food security issues because these affected the production of food in all over the World”, he added. Program Officer, WFP Islamabad, Sahib Haq said challenges of food security could be addressed, when the subsidy should be given for inputs. He said the subsidy should be given for fertilizer, seeds, electricity, tube-wells and irrigation facilities.
“The frameworks for National Zero Hunger Action Program and the operational strategy of the newly created Ministry will be prepared,” he added. The workshop is supported by the UN World Food Programme (WFP), UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), OXFAM and SDPI, and spearheaded by the Ministry of National Food Security and Research and the workshop would be concluded on March 21.