Pakistan to follow Brazilian model in tackling poverty

Aims to achieve a hunger-free society with foreign assistance

ISLAMABAD: Emulating the Brazilian model of zero hunger and with support from donors, the Pakistan government has expressed the resolve to alleviate poverty and hunger from the country.

“The government is determined to achieve a hunger-free society in collaboration with the Brazilian government and donor agencies,” Federal Minister for Capital Administration and Development Nazar Gondal said while addressing a seminar on food security and poverty alleviation, organised by the Ministry of National Food Security and Research here on Monday.

Gondal saw immense potential for production of food crop and said the government was trying to further exploit the potential.

“For decades, agriculture has remained the backbone of our economy. Even today, it is contributing almost 21% to our GDP (gross domestic product).

“Pakistan is among the top 10 producers of wheat in the world, along with Indian Punjab we are home to world famous Basmati rice, we are the sixth largest milk producer in the world and not only export grains but fruits and vegetables as well,” he added.

He said self-sufficiency in food production lessened the negative impact of global food and financial crisis on Pakistan. “We believe that agriculture-led growth is highly effective in reducing poverty on a sustainable basis and helps in increasing farm income and generating foreign exchange,” Gondal said.

Addressing the seminar, Brazilian Ambassador Alfredo Leoni assured Pakistan of his government’s assistance in formulating and implementing the zero-hunger programme.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 4^th, 2012