Government Policies for Food Security in Pakistan

Every meal we eat is more than just a means of survival; it is a doorway to opportunity, health, and a brighter future. Governments have the power to unlock this potential by implementing policies that shape not only the present but also the future, ensuring that the basic human right to food is upheld. In the case of Pakistan, where food insecurity affects millions, the role of the government is particularly critical. This article delves into how the government can ensure food security for its people and discusses the measures that have been taken so far to improve food availability, accessibility, and safety, with a focus on Pakistan.

Food: A Basic Human Right

The United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948) states that everyone has the right to a standard of living that ensures their well-being, with food being a fundamental component of this. This right has been expanded upon in international treaties and national laws, and many countries are committed to ensuring that food security becomes a reality for all. In simple terms, food security means that every individual has access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food at all times to lead a healthy life.

Unfortunately, achieving this goal remains a challenge for many countries, including Pakistan. The food security situation has worsened globally due to conflicts, economic crises, and climate change. In 2022, 21.5% of the world’s population faced acute food insecurity, with 28.9% experiencing moderate to severe food insecurity. Globally, between 713 million and 757 million people (about 8.9-9.4% of the global population) experienced hunger, which is approximately 152 million more than in 2019. This upward trend demonstrates the growing severity of the food security crisis.

In Pakistan, the situation is equally troubling. Approximately 36.9% of Pakistani households face food insecurity, with certain regions suffering more than others. According to recent Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) analyses, around 7.9 million people in Pakistan are facing acute food insecurity. This crisis is not just about hunger; it has ripple effects on physical and mental health, productivity, work capacity, and vulnerability to diseases. Food security, therefore, is not just an end in itself but a means to national economic and social development. It is imperative for governments to address this issue urgently to break the vicious cycle of malnutrition and food insecurity.

The Role of Government in Ensuring Food Security

Governments are responsible for ensuring the basic rights of their citizens, including food security. They play a crucial role in framing policies and implementing programs to ensure that everyone has access to adequate food. In this context, the government’s role extends beyond directly increasing food availability. It also includes addressing underlying issues such as poverty, infrastructure, and climate change, all of which impact food security.

Government policies to ensure food security can be categorized into two broad areas: direct interventions and indirect interventions.

Direct Interventions

1. Food Assistance Programs: These programs, such as ration distribution and food subsidies, target food-insecure areas to provide basic food items like wheat, rice, and cooking oil at subsidized rates. Programs like the Ehsaas Rashan Riayat in Pakistan have been critical in providing food to millions of low-income households.

2. Nutritional Programs: Government interventions aimed at vulnerable populations, particularly pregnant women and children, are crucial in addressing malnutrition. Programs such as the Ehsaas Nashonuma initiative provide conditional cash transfers and fortified food supplies to improve nutrition for pregnant women and children under the age of two.

3. School Feeding Programs: Many countries implement school feeding programs to ensure children have at least one nutritious meal a day. Such programs not only combat malnutrition but also encourage school attendance, thereby contributing to educational goals.

4. Food Fortification and Supplementation: Governments can improve food quality through initiatives like food fortification (adding nutrients to common food items) and providing regular supplements for vulnerable groups. Fortifying staples such as wheat flour with iron and folic acid, or cooking oil with vitamins A and D, can significantly reduce micronutrient deficiencies.

5. Food Safety Regulations: Ensuring that food is safe for consumption is another critical role of the government. In Pakistan, the Punjab Food Authority has taken the lead by enforcing regulations on food safety and quality. However, there is a need for a national food authority to regulate food safety across the entire country.

Indirect Interventions

1. Price and Income Support: Government policies related to food prices, wages, and subsidies can significantly impact food security. For instance, inflation control measures and food subsidies are essential to making food affordable for low-income households.

2. Agricultural Policies: Supporting local food production through subsidies for seeds, fertilizers, and irrigation systems is another way governments can indirectly ensure food security. Pakistan’s National Food Security Policy aims to enhance local production by addressing issues like water management and promoting innovative farming techniques.

3. Infrastructure Development: Access to food is also dependent on infrastructure such as roads, markets, and storage facilities. The government’s investment in transportation and storage infrastructure can reduce food losses and improve market access for farmers.

4. Health and Sanitation: Water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) policies directly impact nutrition and food security. Malnutrition is often linked to poor sanitation, which leads to diseases that reduce nutrient absorption. The government must ensure access to clean drinking water and proper sanitation to complement food security initiatives.

5. Climate Change Adaptation: Climate change is increasingly becoming a significant threat to food security. Droughts, floods, and changing weather patterns disrupt food production and availability. Governments need to implement policies that promote climate-resilient agriculture and disaster preparedness.

National Policies and Their Impact

Pakistan has made strides in addressing food security through various policies and programs. Here are some notable efforts:

1. National Food Security Policy 2011: This policy identified key challenges like investment shortfalls, water management issues, and inadequate food production. It proposed interventions such as promoting sustainability, innovation, and water management. While it focused on agriculture, it lacked emphasis on nutrition-specific policies and gender dimensions. However, it demonstrated the government’s recognition of the food security issue.

2. National Zero Hunger Program 2013: This program, launched in collaboration with UN agencies, aimed to eliminate hunger through school feeding programs, food aid for vulnerable populations, and smallholder farmer support. Although funding issues limited its success, it laid a foundation for future interventions.

3. Ehsaas Program 2019: The Ehsaas Program, Pakistan’s largest social safety net, focuses on combating poverty and improving food security through financial assistance, nutrition programs, and food subsidies. The Ehsaas Rashan Riayat and Ehsaas Nashonuma programs have provided targeted food subsidies and nutritional support to millions, making a tangible impact on food security.

4. Punjab Food Authority and Regulations: The Punjab Food Authority has taken significant steps toward food safety by implementing regulations such as the Pure Food Rules 2011. However, national-level food safety regulations and labeling policies are still needed to ensure safe and nutritious food for all.

5. Pakistan Multi-Sectoral Nutrition Strategy 2018-2025: This strategy recognizes the need for multi-sector cooperation to address food security and malnutrition. It aims to integrate nutrition with sectors such as agriculture, education, and health, while also focusing on disaster management and emergency response.

6. Maternal Nutrition Strategy 2022-2027: Focusing on maternal health, this strategy emphasizes improving nutrition during critical life stages, particularly for pregnant and lactating women. This policy recognizes the intergenerational impact of malnutrition and aims to break the cycle by targeting nutrition from conception to a child’s early years.

Learning from Global Success Stories

Pakistan can learn from other countries’ successful initiatives to enhance food security. Brazil’s Zero Hunger Program successfully reduced hunger and malnutrition through a combination of social safety nets, food assistance, and agricultural support. India’s National Food Security Act guarantees subsidized food grains to two-thirds of its population, providing a model for large-scale food security programs.

Conclusion

Government policies play a crucial role in ensuring the right to food and breaking the cycle of poverty and hunger. In Pakistan, coordinated efforts between provincial governments, international organizations, and public health institutions are necessary to combat food insecurity. A comprehensive and sustained approach is required to ensure every citizen, particularly the most vulnerable, has access to adequate, nutritious, and safe food. With proper policies in place, Pakistan can work towards a food-secure future, where every meal contributes to better health, productivity, and opportunities for its people.

Please note that the views expressed in this article are of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of any organization.

Gold medalist nutritionist Namrah Abid is PhD scholars at NIFSAT, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan.

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