Conference: South Asian leaders to discuss food insecurity

Agriculture needs to be revived as it is the prime source of income in most flood-affected areas.

Political leaders from a number of South Asian countries will discuss food sovereignty, climate change, livelihood and employment issues at a two-day roundtable caucus in Islamabad.

The conference, starting on January 23, has been organised by the Pakistan Kissan Rabita Committee in co-operation with South Asia Alliance for Poverty Eradication, said a press release issued by Labour Party of Pakistan on Friday.

The objective of this forum is particularly important after the last year’s devastating impact of floods on agriculture.

Standing crops have been washed away and millions of livestock lost. Agriculture is the prime source of income in most of the flood-affected areas and losses incurred have had a direct effect on the livelihoods of peasants.

The press release added that the losses to the agricultural sector will reflect across the country, with the food insecurity expected to rise.

South Asia is a region dominated by millions of peasants who have struggled against all forms of exploitations.

Over the years, the condition of peasants in the region has gone from bad to worse. They are exploited, discriminated against and even tortured by feudal lords.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 22^nd, 2011.