Food security: a new challenge for Imran Khan

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Food security issues owing to climate change are emerging as a big challenge for the Imran Khan government. The Covid 19 pandemic which has led to large scale unemployment has added to the problem. Pakistan is one of the major producers of wheat. Yet the country has had to resort to imports.</p>
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According to reports, Punjab province in the country was hit by a one million tonne shortage of wheat, the staple grain in Pakistan.</p>
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Daily Times said Covid-19 pandemic has also contributed to the decline of productivity, increase in unemployment, and decrease in the wages of the lower middle class. “Pakistan now faces food security challenges and has to import major food items like wheat, sugar and edible oils, including significant quantities of palm oil,” it said.</p>
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<strong>Also read: <a href="https://www.indianarrative.com/economy-news/india-s-rice-exports-in-the-highest-ever-by-any-country-despite-covid-blues-83173.html">India's rice exports in 2020-21 is the highest ever by any country, despite Covid-19 blues</a></strong></p>
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As weather conditions in Pakistan rapidly change with rising temperatures, several glaciers have melted leading to damage of crops. Pakistan has about 7,000 glaciers. The rise in temperature has also resulted in glacial foods, which in turn has impacted agriculture sector.</p>
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“In addition, there are other factors like depleting water reservoirs and an increase in water losses, which are contributing to changing crop patterns in the agricultural sector which trigger the threat of food security in the country,” Daily Times said.</p>
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"Food security is an issue that needs to be watched now especially as we prepare for a post Covid world. The gains have been lost. Besides erratic climatic conditions are playing a role. It is not just Pakistan but many other countries would have similar problems," an analyst told India Narrative.</p>
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Pakistan’s population growth has also been steady, adding to the overall pressure and augmenting poverty.  “The annual population growth rate of 2 percent has unfortunately also augmented poverty in Pakistan from 4.4 percent to 5.4 percent in FY 2019-20; and has, over time, spread beyond traditional strata.”</p>
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<strong>Also read: <a href="https://www.indianarrative.com/latest-news/more-wheat-procured-this-year-so-far-centre-94196.html">12.12% more wheat procured this year so far: Centre</a></strong></p>
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The news organisation also said that Islamabad is trying to balance the equation between the overall challenges of climate change, food Security, and ever-increasing economic pressures due to the slow GDP growth rate, which was -0.4 percent for FY 2019-20 while per capita income decreased from $1,625 to $1325.</p>
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According to the United Nations food security parameter requires all people at all times to have physical, social and economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food that meets their food preferences and dietary needs for an active and healthy life. Food insecurity comes from the lack of such access.</p>