PARC Committed to Ensuring Climate-Resilient and Nutritious Food Production to Foster Global Food Security. Chairman PARC, Dr. Ghulam Muhammad Ali

Islamabad: (PR&P PARC) To enhance the Government of Pakistan’s initiatives in enhancing nutritious food accessibility and meeting global targets by 2030, the Ministry of National Food Security & Research organized a National Consultation focused on reviewing the progress of the “Pakistan National Food System Transformation Pathway.” The consultation, titled “Aligning National Practices and Policies for Transforming Pakistan Food Systems,” aimed to strengthen the alignment of national practices and policies with the goal of transforming the country’s food systems.

The National Consultation was organized in response to the Government of Pakistan’s strong political commitment leading up to the “United Nations Food System Summit – Stock Taking Moment-2023.” This significant event was inaugurated by the Chairman of Pakistan Agriculture Research Council (PARC) and concluded with remarks from Mr. Ejaz Ahmad Bajwa, the focal point and National Convener for Pakistan, who serves as the Joint Secretary of the Ministry of National Food Security & Research. The consultation served as a platform for key stakeholders to come together and contribute to the ongoing dialogue on transforming Pakistan’s food systems.

In his opening remarks, Chairman PARC, Dr. Ghulam Muhammad Ali, extended a heartfelt welcome to all the distinguished guests, participants, provincial stakeholders, and members of the media present at the event. Dr. Ali emphasized PARC’s strong commitment for supporting farmers and facilitating the production of sustainable and nutritious food for consumers. He also underscored PARC’s efforts in adhering to global guidelines for food security. Furthermore, the Chairman reiterated PARC’s vital objective of aligning its research with international standards in order to contribute effectively to food security not only globally but also with a specific focus on Pakistan.

Leading the technical discussion, Dr. Ghulam Sadiq Afridi, Member, Social Sciences Division, PARC and Secretary of the Technical Working Group (TWG), along with Mr. Faiz Rasool, Senior Policy Advisor at the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN), shared the progress made by the Government of Pakistan. The progress review process on Food System Transformation in Pakistan received technical assistance from GAIN in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), World Food Programme (WFP), and International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). Notably, provincial leadership highlighted the overall progress achieved, challenges faced (particularly regarding climate change implications), stakeholder engagement, and strategic investments allocated for the transformation of Pakistan’s food systems.

The event witnessed the active participation of country representativesfrom FAO, IFAD, WFP, and GAIN, providing valuable technical insights. It brought together a diverse range of participants, including senior officials such as Secretary Food, Punjab, Mr. Zaman Wattoo, Secretary Agriculture (AJK) Mr. Javed Ayub, and Director Generals from provincial food, agriculture, and livestock departments, as well as representatives from civil society organizations (CSOs) and the Consumer Association Network.

In today’s world, poor diets have emerged as a significant contributor to one in five deaths. Furthermore, food production and consumption have become intertwined with pressing environmental issues such as greenhouse gas emissions, unsustainable water usage, soil degradation, and biodiversity loss. A crucial report, “The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2020,” highlights a staggering statistic: approximately three billion people worldwide lack the financial means to access a healthy diet. Addressing these challenges necessitates a comprehensive transformation of existing food systems.