South Asia grapples with food insecurity

Food insecurity and malnutrition remain pressing global issues, particularly in South Asia and Africa, said Prof Dr Abdul Waheed, Registrar of the University of Karachi, while speaking at a seminar titled 'Nutrivision-2024: Feeding Smart Right from Start,' organised by the KU Department of Food Science and Technology on Thursday.

Dr Waheed referred to a 2023 report by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (WHO), which reveals that South Asia is severely affected by food insecurity. The report indicates that 1.4 billion people in the region, representing 72.2 per cent of the population, cannot afford two meals a day. Specific figures include 74.1 per cent of Indians, 82.8 per cent of Pakistanis, 76.4 per cent of Nepalis, 66.1 per cent of Bangladeshis, and 55.5 per cent of Sri Lankans experiencing food insecurity challenges.

The 2023 Global Hunger Index also reflects dire conditions, with South Asian countries ranking poorly: Pakistan at 102nd, India at 111th, Bangladesh at 81st, Nepal at 69th, and Sri Lanka at 60th out of 125 countries.

Dr Waheed added that food insecurity and malnutrition are particularly critical issues in Pakistan. The 2016 Food Security Assessment Survey revealed that 18 per cent of the population is undernourished. Moreover, UNICEF's 2018 report noted that around 37 per cent of Pakistanis face food insecurity despite the country's self-sufficiency in staple foods. Pakistan's Human Development Index ranking of 164 out of 193 countries in 2022 further underscores the challenges in health, education, and living standards. Dr Waheed pointed out that frequent droughts and famines impact household income and food security, especially in the provinces of Sindh and Balochistan.