FAISALABAD, Oct 9: Participants in a workshop on Pakistan’s food security and safety strategy development have suggested that focus should be on maximum food production, livestock management processing inclusive of poultry and sea food.

Renowned food experts and research scholars from all over the country participated in the three-day workshop held at the University of Agriculture from Oct 6-8. It was jointly organized by the Unicef, the National Institute for Health and the University of Agriculture.

The participants in their recommendations urged the government to ensure supply of wholesome and nutritive food at affordable prices to the consumers.

It was also recommended that strategies should be strengthened to increase food production. Farmers should be provided with quality agriculture inputs at their doorsteps.

Loans should be provided to growers on easy terms and conditions so that they could arrange agricultural inputs at appropriate time. It would be better if the farmers were given interest-free loans.

It was proposed that post-harvest losses of agricultural commodities should be minimized through proper handling and effective distribution network.

Livestock management should be improved through research and development.

The support price of major food items should be announced well before the time of sowing.

Procurement and marketing of farm produce should be ensured and channelized through some footing mechanism. Farmers should be assured that all his produce would be procured or he may be assisted through banking system to maintain food stock.

It was also suggested that public-private storage capacity should be enhanced with appropriate inputs. Food distribution system should be improved. Steps should be taken to curb smuggling of food items.

Fortification and supplementary feeding programme for vulnerable groups of population may be started systematically at appropriate level.

The efficient and effective use of irrigation water was stressed besides strengthening the on farm water management.