Food security: Experts for review of agricultural policy

Say enhancing production, irrigation should be focus areas.

ISLAMABAD:

Experts have questioned the draft of a government policy on agriculture which, according to them, fails to highlight food security in the country and demanded a review.

The document recently launched by the Ministry of Food Security and Research, “is not scientifically centred and lacks an analytical framework and strategic prioritisation,” said Innovative Development Strategy Executive Director Dr Sohail Jahangir Malik.

The Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) had organised the consultative meeting on “Agricultural and Food Security Policy” at a local hotel on Tuesday.

Malik urged the government to review the entire policy framework to integrate different aspects of food security.

He said there was a need to bridge the gap between policies and their implementation. The non-accessibility of funds and resources for the poor should also be integrated in the document, he remarked.

SDPI Executive Director Dr Abid Qayyum Suleri appreciated the federal government’s efforts to draft the policy document. However, he disclosed some missing links including limited focus on enhancing production, sustainable irrigation, water availability and its efficient use. Moreover, no concrete governance measure had been suggested.

Dr Azmat Hayat from the Pakistan Meteorological Department demanded education and financial assistance for farmers. According to him, adaptation and mitigation policies should also be designed.

Dr Abdul Salam from the Agricultural Prices Commission demanded enhancement in the provinces’ capacity to resolve issues.

Participants discussed and identified major problem areas for food access and utilisation and to a larger extend of food sustainability, which are not addressed in the current draft. Without this, one cannot cover all aspects of food security.

Participants included members from academia, research community, human rights activists and development practitioners.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 5^th, 2014.