Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani Wednesday announced establishment of National Council for Food Security to ensure implementation of national action plan for “zero hunger.”
Addressing concluding session of Zero Hunger Workshop here, he said Council would comprise Federal, Provincial Governments  private sector and civil society representatives. He directed National Food Security & Research Ministry to prepare Council s structure and budget for approval within one month.
Gilani said it will be government’s priority to ensure food security for women. Several initiatives will be launched to achieve this objective in collaboration with international agencies and private sector.
He said school feed program would be launched in most food insecure districts of the country. Nutrition program for children under five years, for pregnant women, breast-feeding mothers will also be initiated. Zero hunger shops opened in low income areas of major cities.
Prime Minister said during three and a half years  focus of government was on development of agriculture, livestock and now it is time to move to food security and zero hunger. Government achieved extraordinary successes in agriculture production in last four years. Wheat production reached highest level of 25 million tonnes and Pakistan is now recognized as a net wheat exporting country, he noted.
He said there was also record sugarcane production of 63 million tonnes and sugar price come down. Cotton production also reached record level of 14.2 million bales. “Our quality rice is fetching higher prices in different markets. Our horticulture and mangoes getting to United States and Japan markets,” he added.