Income generation

In Pakistan, 21.5% of people are living in severe multidimensional poverty while 12.9% are vulnerable to multidimensional poverty, according to the UNDP 2019 report. This is an improvement over 2018 when 24.7% of people were living in severe multidimensional poverty. The country is, however, is far from the target of SDGs, which is to reduce poverty up to 9% by 2030. The state has taken several steps to help reduce poverty. The Benazir Income Support Programme has been in place for the past many years. Under this cash transfer programme, the deserving are paid Rs5,000 quarterly at the rate of Rs1,666 a month.

Recently, Prime Minister Imran Khan launched the Ehsaas Amdan Programme aimed at widening the social safety net. Under the programme, livestock assets valued at Rs200,000 will be provided to deserving families. Among the beneficiaries will be 60% women and 30% youth. The total budget of the four-year programme is Rs15 billion. The programme would conclude in 2023. The main objective of the poverty-alleviation programme is to provide poor families with a permanent source of income. Initially, it is being launched in 375 rural union councils in 23 less-developed districts, which have been selected on the basis of three parameters — level of human development, level of poverty and food insecurity. Under the programme, deserving families will receive livestock (buffaloes, cows and goats), agricultural inputs and help in setting up small retail outlets and small enterprises. These assets will help in income generation. For success of the programme, it is necessary to provide expert veterinary services to those engaged in rearing livestock to ensure the health of cattle and poultry. Proper veterinary services will also help people in breeding healthy and robust animals and poultry birds. The government should also launch an awareness programme so that the recipients of livestock assets can carry on their business in a productive manner. Measures should also be taken to ensure that the assets are not squandered. 

Published in The Express Tribune, March 3^rd, 2020.

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