Pakistan: Wheat, Pulses and Rice

The 34^th President of United States of America (USA), ‘Dwight D. Eisenhower’ started the initiative of ‘World Food Programme’ (WFP) in 1961. The purpose was to come up with ‘Food aid’ through the United Nations (UN) system. Following the decade, the experiment proved to be a successful launch. From Iran’s earthquake aid (1962) to Rwanda’s genocide (1999) to Asian tsunami of 2004: WFP remained at forefront for delivering million tons of food aid without any prejudice.

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the concept of food security emerged in mid 1970s after recognition of the inherent issues of hunger and famine faced by countries across the globe. For measuring food security for any country, the ‘Global Food Security Index’ measures 3 core issues: affordability, availability, quality and safety. For a nation to label as food insecure, it has to fulfill two of the following conditions:  Unstable prices of staple foods and seasonal shortages. Fortunately, according to the latest article on food security by Dawn news, Pakistan is a food secure nation and we don’t have to worry about spending ‘Ramadan’ in quarantine, 2020.

Although, due to current social isolation situation, we can see clearer skies and less pollution is  observe by various organizations, we should not be so complacent about the positive effect of reduced Green house Gases (GHGs). Pre Covid-19 pollution for more than half of the century that resulted in the possibility of shifting patterns of Rabi and khairf crops is the main reason for not being thrilled.

One such example is last year’s mango production, which slumped due to un called wind and hailstorms along with unusual summer rains. For climate change, we have a long way to go, the first step would be to adapt to changes with the change in climate friendly dietary habits and innovation in agriculture practices.

FAO recommends increase usage of all variety of pulses for a climate change resilient consumption. It also urges farmers to use innovative space friendly agriculture methods for a maximum produce. A few examples are given below:

1: Vetical gardens: Vertical herb gardens can be grown on a straight vertical surface like cemented walls.

2: Aquaponic system: This system combines aquaculture along with plantation of hydrophilic plants, for example watercress and water spinach

3: Hydroponic system: It includes growing crops in a nutrient rich water solution, this does not require the usage of soil.

The Global Food Security Index 2018 marks Pakistan as 78 out of 113 countries surveyed for food security and list’s three main challenges for the country: quality of protein consumed, gross domestic product per capita and expenditure on research and development for agriculture. The index also listed some strengths; such as less food loss, decrease in agriculture import tariffs, stable food prices throughout the year, easy access to financing for farmers, decrease in population below global poverty line and average stability of agriculture production with the given policy framework.  The current government’s strategy for wheat fortification to combat micronutrient deficiency is the step worth applauding.

 

by: Noor Ul Ain

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