Food security

#Food #security

LAHORE: Global food production has maintained mass pace with population growth, mainly due to the development of technology and the introduction of high production seed varieties. Unfortunately, Pakistan does not match this global development in agricultural production capacity.

In 1961, the world supported a population of 3.5 billion by cultivating 1.37 billion hectares of land. By 2011, the global population doubled seven billion, but the land cultivated increased by only 12 % to 1.53 billion hectares. Nevertheless, the agricultural production capacity was almost double doubled, resulting in increased food globally. By 2025, the global population is 8.1 billion, and food production has increased threefold compared to the 1961 level.

The key partners in this growth include the Green Revolution, which introduces high production varieties (HEV), chemical fertilizers and improved irrigation systems. Pakistan participated in the Green Revolution in the mid -1960s, but gradually ended contact with global innovations. Macangeon – through the use of tractors, farmers and other machinery – has increased the performance somewhere, but most Pakistani farmers have yet to adopt these methods. There is a low number of tractors per hectare in Pakistan, and mechanized harvesting is minimal, resulting in manual deposits due to the major disadvantages of the crops.

The use of fertilizers and pesticides initially increased production in Pakistan, but increasing costs have made them unbearable for many farmers, which has reduced use. Globally, scientific growth and genetically changing seeds have improved the resistance of crops against drought, pests and disease. In Pakistan, some progressive farmers have begun adopting hybrid seeds, especially for the types of Eri -rice and corn, where productivity has improved. However, wheat – our primary crop – continues to perform less.

Although the agricultural production capacity in Pakistan has not decreased, its growth has slowed, and the current production is behind global standards. For example, the average wheat production in Pakistan is 2.8 to 3.1 tonnes per hectare, while it is 3.5 tonnes globally and 5.5 tonnes in China. In addition, Pakistan lacks proper storage facilities, efficient logistics and modern trade methods, which helps in the aftermath of the focus. On the contrary, the countries exporting agricultural goods significantly have significantly reduced these losses.

Although global food production is much higher than the increase in population, this progress is uneven throughout the regions. According to the FAO, global food production provides enough calories and nutrients, but unequal distribution causes hunger in some areas. Pakistan prepares enough food to feed its population, yet a significant part of the population is facing food insecurity due to unequal access.

Several factors are helpful in Pakistan’s slow development in agriculture, including old seed types, poor water management and inadequate expansion services. Urban proliferation, housing development and industrial encroachments have also reduced the cultivable land – over 200,000 hectares have been lost in Punjab alone in the past two decades. In addition, water logging and Namakini have offered more land to the land.

Climate change is now a serious threat to Pakistan’s agricultural productivity. Due to limited investment in research and development, the country has failed to produce flexible seeds, the country is ready to face this challenge. Policy makers must work or there is a risk of food insecurity across the country.