ISLAMABAD: The outgoing government on Tuesday announced Pakistan’s first National Food Security Policy (NFSP) to ensure removal of hunger and malnutrition.
The policy will also ensure food accessibility for the poor, reported Express Tribune.
The NFSP was launched by the Minister for National Food Security and Research (MNFSR) Sikander Hayat Khan Bosan on Tuesday, several weeks after its go-ahead by the federal cabinet.
Bosan said the NFSP had been delayed due to a long deliberative process and delay in official approval from the federal cabinet.
The NFSP anticipates 4 percent yearly growth in food production which includes fisheries, livestock and crops.
The policy would assist the agriculture sector in becoming more profitable, productive, competitive and resilient to change in climate.
Mr Bosan shared production of staple crops remained high and potato, sugarcane, rice and wheat were not only being exported but were available in vast quantities.
He shared all vital crops and commodities have been in surfeit in the last few years, stating production and growth had been maintained.
The MNFSR added the NFSP would provide a procedure to address all four constituents of food security which include food accessibility, availability, utilization and stability.
The NFSP is targeted at raising farmers access to seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, credit flow and resolving land and water management problems.
The policy would also enable the setting up of National Food Security Council (NFSC) under the chairman of the prime minister, which will see participation from chief ministers of all provinces and other officials to regularly review the position of food security and initiate policy measures.
