ISLAMABAD: More than half of the surveyed households reported a reduction in income, high food and fuel prices, sickness or death in their households in 28 districts in Sindh, Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), according to results of a household survey carried out by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations.

The survey results, released on Friday, said that households reported a drop in agricultural income, particularly from the sale of staple crops but also from agricultural trade and casual farm labour. According to the survey, which was conducted in March-April 2022, agricultural shocks were less frequent than economic shocks, but some districts had prevalence rates that were much higher than the aggregate average. This third-round survey used a random sample of 6,990 rural households, representative at district level.

The FAO carried out the survey through the data in the emergency monitoring system to monitor agricultural livelihoods and food security in the three provinces.

Face-to-face interviews were carried out in seven districts of KP including Bajaur, Khyber, Kurram, Mohmand, North Waziristan, Orakzai and South Waziristan. The twelve districts surveyed in Balochistan included Chagai, Gwadar, Harnai, Kech, Kharan, Killa Abdullah, Loralai, Nushki, Panjgur, Pishin, Washuk, and Zhob. In Sindh, nine districts including Badin, Dadu, Jamshoro, Mirpurkhas, Sanghar, Sujawal, Tharparkar, Thatta and Umerkot were surveyed.

According to the survey, for cattle and goats, herd sizes have changed considerably compared to one year ago. The share of farmers reporting a decrease in herd size was high, particularly in Washuk, Nushki and Chagai. Variations in herd size were mostly due to distressed sales, death (especially for goats), and the deterioration of pasture. Difficulty accessing feed, pasture, and veterinary services were the most common challenges, with access to pasture affecting goat farmers the most.

The prevalence of moderate or severe Recent Food Insecurity (RFI) was 40pc, with 3pc experiencing severe recent food insecurity. Sindh districts had the highest prevalence of moderate and severe RFI with 48pc, Balochistan followed with 37pc, and KP with 28pc. The food consumption score (FCS) revealed that 27pc had poor food consumption, particularly in Sindh (33pc), and 32pc borderline.

Aside from poor food consumption, a large proportion of households used asset-depleting livelihood coping strategies. Most respondents identified cash or food assistance as the most urgent need, but a high share of households mentioned agricultural inputs such as seeds, fertiliser, animal feed, and veterinary services.

The FAO has recommended the establishment of livelihood diversification activities to provide rural households with an opportunity to manage household food security, reduce poverty, and improve living conditions. The UN agency also recommended establishing capacity-building programmes for farmers on Climate Resilient Agriculture (CRA) practices and water management, including how to apply inputs. In addition, provide training on how to process and preserve seasonal produce to increase income and meet food needs in the lean season.

Published in Dawn, July 9th, 2022