Understanding Food Security in Developing Countries: The Case of Pakistan

Food security refers to a state where all individuals have physical, social, and economic access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food that meets their dietary needs and preferences for an active and healthy life. Globally, food security is of paramount importance. Developing countries like Pakistan, where socio-economic conditions are fragile, face multiple challenges. Pakistan, with its growing population, fluctuating agricultural productivity, and environmental challenges, faces significant risks in ensuring food security for its citizens. The importance of food security in the country goes beyond basic sustenance, having far-reaching implications for health, education, economic stability, political security, and environmental sustainability.

Agriculture remains the backbone of Pakistan’s economy, employing over 40% of the labor force and contributing approximately 19% to the country’s GDP. However, the yield per acre is low compared to international standards. This, combined with factors such as climate change, water scarcity, and limited access to modern farming technologies, affects food production, farmers' livelihoods, and the broader economy.

Food insecurity and fluctuations in agricultural productivity can have destabilizing effects on the economy. When farmers are unable to produce sufficient food, it impacts their livelihoods and the broader economy. Food insecurity also leads to inflation in food prices, which disproportionately affects low-income households. As food prices rise, these households are forced to allocate a higher percentage of their income to basic food items, leaving less for essential needs such as education, healthcare, and housing. This cycle of poverty and food insecurity perpetuates economic instability.

Food security also directly impacts the health of a population. Malnutrition and stunting are serious problems in Pakistan, particularly among children. According to the National Nutrition Survey 2018, 40% of children under the age of five in Pakistan suffer from stunting, while 17.7% are underweight for their height. These statistics indicate that a significant portion of the population is at risk of health problems associated with malnutrition, such as weakened immune systems, developmental delays, and higher mortality rates.

A significant number of women and children also suffer from "hidden hunger," which involves deficiencies in micronutrients such as Vitamin A, iodine, and iron. These deficiencies result in anemia, impaired cognitive development, and increased susceptibility to infections, contributing to long-term health problems.

Food security is closely linked to social stability, as food shortages can lead to social unrest when people struggle to meet their basic needs. In Pakistan, food insecurity has the potential to exacerbate existing social inequalities. Disparities in access to food are often tied to geographic, economic, and social factors. Rural populations, particularly those in remote areas, are more likely to experience food insecurity due to limited access to markets, poor infrastructure, and inadequate government support. Similarly, women, children, and marginalized communities are disproportionately affected by food insecurity, further contributing to broader social inequalities.

Political stability is also closely tied to food security. Food insecurity has the potential to erode trust in political institutions and increase the vulnerability of the country to external threats and internal conflict. Furthermore, food security is a strategic issue in international relations.

Achieving food security in Pakistan is closely linked to environmental sustainability. The country faces several environmental challenges, including water scarcity, soil degradation, and the impacts of climate change. These issues threaten the country’s ability to produce enough food to meet the needs of its growing population. Agriculture in Pakistan is heavily dependent on water, with 90% of the country’s freshwater resources being used for agricultural purposes. Pakistan, being a water-stressed country, cannot afford this luxury. Rising temperatures, changing rainfall patterns, and an increased frequency of extreme weather events, such as floods and droughts, are all affecting agricultural yields. Smallholder farmers, who make up a large portion of the agricultural workforce, are particularly vulnerable to these changes.

Major Challenges to Achieving Food Security in Pakistan

Population Growth: Pakistan’s population is projected to reach 338 million by 2050, up from approximately 241 million in 2024. This rapid population growth puts immense pressure on food production, water resources, and land use. Meeting the food needs of an expanding population will require significant increases in agricultural productivity and improvements in food distribution systems.

Outdated Farming Methods: Farmers in Pakistan still rely on traditional farming methods that are not optimized for modern challenges. Research is minimal, and seed quality remains poor. These factors result in low yields, post-harvest losses, and inefficient water usage.

Climate Change: Climate change remains a major threat to food security in Pakistan. The increasing frequency of extreme weather events, such as floods and droughts, disrupts food production and exacerbates poverty.

Poverty: Poverty is a major driver of food insecurity in Pakistan. Low-income households often lack the resources to purchase adequate food, and rural areas, where agriculture is the main source of livelihood, are disproportionately affected. Efforts to reduce poverty, improve access to education, and promote income-generating opportunities are essential to achieving food security.

Political Instability and Governance: Political instability, weak governance, corruption, inefficiency, and a lack of coordination among provinces and government agencies have undermined agricultural policies and food distribution systems in the country.

Solutions to Address Food Security Challenges

To address the challenges of food security, Pakistan must adopt a multifaceted approach:

Population Management and Education: Pakistan must manage its growing population by reducing the growth rate and educating the masses. Without addressing the population issue, food security will remain unattainable.

Sustainable Agricultural Practices: Pakistan must adopt sustainable agricultural practices that conserve natural resources and enhance resilience to climate change. This includes promoting water-efficient irrigation techniques, improving soil health, and investing in climate-resilient crops. Aligning food security efforts with environmental sustainability will ensure long-term agricultural productivity.

Modernization of Farming Techniques: The country needs to invest in modern farming techniques, improved seeds, fertilizers, land reforms, and research to significantly boost agricultural productivity and yield per acre. Pakistan has to improve its infrastructure, such as roads and storage facilities, to reduce post-harvest losses and ensure that food reaches markets more efficiently. Strengthening supply chains and reducing inefficiencies in the distribution system will help stabilize food prices and improve access to food.

Strengthening Social Safety Nets: There is a need to strengthen social safety nets, such as food assistance programs, to protect vulnerable populations from food insecurity. Improving the economy by reducing poverty, enhancing education, and creating jobs will improve people's ability to purchase food.

Effective Governance and Policy Coordination: The country requires effective governance and policy coordination to achieve food security. The government must prioritize food security in national development plans and ensure that relevant ministries and agencies work together to implement policies that support agricultural development and food access.

Ensuring food security is not just about addressing hunger but also about improving health, education, economic stability, and political cohesion. By adopting a holistic and strategic approach, Pakistan can tackle its food security challenges and pave the way for a more sustainable and secure future.

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.

Nadeem Riyaz is a former Pakistan Ambassador and Permanent Representative to FAO, WFP and IFAD.

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