ISLAMABAD: The Food and Agriculture Organi­sation (FAO) of the United Nations has urged Asia-Pacific countries to step up investment in agriculture; boost regional food systems and accelerate action to improve diets and nutrition, as it fears that the number of hungry people in the region may have already begun to rise.

“This means that many countries in the region risk not meeting the 2030 target of ending food insecurity,” warns the Asia-Pacific Regional Overview of Food Security and Nutrition released by the FAO on Friday.

The report says that more people in Asia and the Pacific region are moving towards healthier diets, although the availability of nutritious foods is still inadequate in many countries. However, on average, the consumption of food items considered unhealthy is also on the rise. A key challenge is to reorient food systems in a way that will help promote healthier diets through supportive food and trade policies, education and awareness campaigns, it emphasises.

Says Pakistan had bumper wheat harvest in 2016 and other crops also performed well

In view of the overall trend in declining food prices in recent years, and a relative abundance of food, there is less public concern over the state of food security; nevertheless, it is important that governments and other stakeholders not become complacent. Given the fundamental importance of food in both production and consumption for the poorest of the poor, stepped up investments in the food economy will be essential if we are to achieve the SDG goal to “leave no one behind.”

Smallholder farmers need better access to more profitable markets if they are to escape poverty and food insecurity. While some technical assistance projects have been effective in improving rural livelihoods, it is essential to address systemic weaknesses at the national level by promoting farmer organisations, investing in improved rural infrastructure and improving the functioning of rural financial markets.

Saying that production outcomes of cereals in South Asia have improved for some countries, the report pointed out that Pakistan had a bumper wheat harvest in 2016 and other crops also performed well due to favourable weather.

About dietary trends in Asia and the Pacific, the report says diets in the region have undergone a rapid transition during the past few decades, with substantial improvement in overall diet quality. Between 2000 and 2013, the contribution of cereals and starchy roots declined by more than 65 calories per person per day while that of animal-source foods increased by more than 100 calories per day, and that from fruits and vegetables by more than 60 calories per day.

The FAO report also highlighted a call for more innovations to stem food loss and food waste, in a cost-effective manner, which could also play an important part in improving overall food systems.

Published in Dawn, November 11th, 2017