ISLAMABAD: Experts at a seminar on Tuesday stressed the need for formulating effective policies to tackle nutritional challenges, as Pakistan still lacks a national nutritional policy.

The seminar was organised by Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) and Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) on food security challenges faced by the country at the Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi.

In his opening remarks, Qasim Shah, Deputy Executive Director SDPI, acknowledged the challenges faced by Pakistani youth, a good percent of whom are unprivileged to reach at the university level.

Faiz Rasool, head of policy and advocacy GAIN, said food systems involved a wide range of actors, from those who grow and harvest to those who process, distribute and consume food and agricultural commodities.

Say existing policy does not highlight roles of youth, women in nutrition

“Youth and women are crucial to these systems. However, Pakistan lags in sustainable development goals due to insufficient investment in food and nutrition. GAIN collaborates with organisations like the United Nations General Assembly and the World Health Organisation to address these issues,” he said.

By 2050, he said, Pakistan’s population is projected to increase to 350 million, significantly raising food requirements to approximately 130 million tonnes. While these challenges present opportunities, international debates on agriculture and food systems, particularly involving youth and women, are essential to bridge this gap. Pakistan’s youth, constituting 64pc of the population (under 30 years) with 29pc aged between 15 and 29 are pivotal in addressing the food crisis through education, political participation and empowerment.

“Effective policies must be designed to tackle nutritional challenges, yet Pakistan lacks a National Nutritional Policy. The existing food security policy does not adequately highlight the roles of youth and women in nutrition and food. GAIN’s adolescent nutritional strategies emphasise the shift in dietary preferences from a young age and the role of junk food in children’s diets, leading to nutritional deficiencies. These strategies show how various food systems can regulate consumption,” he said.

In Pakistan, he added, it was crucial to create a demand for safe, healthy and nutritious food, improve economic and physical accessibility to such food and foster an environment that supports these goals. Working with ministries and policymakers to allocate public financing is essential. Currently, over 42.3pc of Pakistan’s population is moderately or severely food insecure, with 82.9pc unable to secure a healthy diet. Childhood stunting, obesity and diabetes are major issues contributing to non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in the country.

Tariq Mukhtar, Dean (Agriculture) at the Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi, highlighted some critical issues facing Pakistan. He noted that every 15 children in the age group of five die daily and 47pc of women suffered from iron deficiency causing anemia leaving both children and women significantly undernourished.

Published in Dawn, July 10th, 2024