National Food Security Policy approved by federal govt

RECORDER REPORT

ISLAMABAD: National Assembly Standing Committee on National Food Security and Research has been informed that federal cabinet has granted approval to National Food Security Policy (NFSP) so the Ministry of National Food Security and Research is now initiating process for implementation and preparation of an action plan accordingly.

The committee met here with MNA Malik Shakir Bashir Awan in the chair on Thursday. The secretary Ministry of National Food Security and Research briefed the committee about the implementation status of the previous recommendations of the committee. The committee deferred ‘The National Food Safety, Animal and Plant Health Regulatory Authority Bill, 2017’ till its next meeting.

The committee was also informed that National Food Security Policy was developed with specific objectives for alleviating poverty and eradicating hunger and malnutrition.

The secretary Ministry of National Food Security and Research gave a briefing to the committee on National Food Security Policy (NFSP).

He informed that the food security is first and foremost element of national security and requires a robust policy framework. He said that objective of the NFSP is to ensure a modern and efficient food production and distribution system that can best contribute towards food security and nutrition in terms of availability, access, utilization and stability.

He further said that more specific objectives of the policy are alleviation of poverty, eradicating hunger and malnutrition, promotion of sustainable food production systems and making agriculture more productive, profitable, climate-resilient and competitive.

He also informed about the measures to be taken under the NFSP. He said that the policy will focus on access of farmers to quality inputs like seeds, fertilizers and agricultural machinery. He said that the policy will also include plans to address emergencies and disaster management.