ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: The National Assembly has been told that 1.8% of population of the Country is experiencing severe food insecurity as per the latest available official data of Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS).
Replying to a question in the House on Friday, the Minister for National Food Security and Research Tariq Bashir Cheema said that rapidly increasing population in the Country is root cause of many socio-economic problems of the country including food insecurity.
Tariq Bashir Cheema said that the Ministry of National Food Security and Research is vigilant regarding food security situation in the Country.
In this regard, the ministry is tracking the availability of food items in the Country to ensure sufficient supplies in the Country.
The minister told that the staple food — Wheat stocks are sufficiently available in all provinces of the Country and harvesting of new crop has started in Sindh province. He said that the anticipated new crop has been estimated as well and procurement plans are being finalized.
Furthermore, he told that in order to address the issue of food security, the ministry has already initiated PSDP funded projects to enhance productivity of all major crops (wheat, sugarcane, Rice) oilseeds, pulses and livestock dairy development projects as well.
Moreover, important initiatives i.e., Kissan Package, Prime Minister Yield Enhancement Plan, and Edible Oil Enhancement Plan have been taken under the directions of Prime Minister, he told.
