Govt asked to improve food security situation: PEW
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Food insecurity grave threat to national security
The Pakistan Economy Watch (PEW) on Sunday expressed reservations over government response to the looming food security threat.
It demanded increased investment to ensure food security for whole population many of whom are finding it difficult to get adequate food while the situation of food security in Pakistan has deteriorated since 2003.
Government must have full details of food security situation so that policymakers can plan on the basis of ground realities as food insecurity anywhere, threatens peace everywhere, said Dr. Murtaza Mughal, President PEW.
He said that global agricultural production must be enhanced by 50 percent by 2050 to feed nine billion people, as majority of world’s poor and malnourished lives in Saarc region.
Dr. Murtaza Mughal said that population is growing at a rapid pace while agricultural production continue to recede due to climate change posting new challenges.
Production cannot enhanced when farming community is dissatisfied, he said, adding that issues confronting farmers should be tackled on preference.
Efforts to achieve food security have suffered from insufficient investment and a lack of coordination. The risk can be alleviated through policy reforms, investment and innovative ways to increase production and access to food, he said.
Food insecurity may cause conflicts, civil wars and can threaten the overall peace of community, society, nation or world depending on the extent and spectrum of hunger and poverty, warned Dr. Mughal.
