Food Security.

The last time Pakistan became self-sufficient in terms of wheat production was during Pakistan People's Party's (PPP) tenure from 2008 to 2013. After this, it had to import wheat from abroad every year. Accusations have been directed at governments for neglecting agricultural output and food security. The next worry is that climate change will affect is drastically, and especially have a direct impact on food security.

Farmers ravaged by the recent floods have barely recovered but now, they are able to sow wheat for the upcoming season to an extent. However, a new seed crisis is looming over them. According to reports, profiteers in various parts of Pakistan have increased the price of 50kg bags by Rs.3000 from Rs.5200 to Rs.8200, because of which small farmers could not start sowing yet. While according to agricultural experts, the deadline for sowing wheat is November 25 and if we fail to abide by it, there is a possibility of massive reduction in the next crop.

It should be remembered that due to the fertiliser crisis last year, wheat harvests were 30 lakh tons less than the target, which had to be met by importing the commodity. And now, the National Economic Coordination Committee has approved the procurement of another eight lakh tons, the global price of which was double than last year's price. The brunt of this has to be faced by Pakistan's foreign reserves and we need more dollars to import wheat and already, we have shortage of it.

Along with this, the federal government has also approved the import of three lakh metric tons of urea fertiliser and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has promised to provide seeds and fertilisers at the doorsteps of farmers. This is a commendable step, but it is the responsibility of federal government to make sure that across-the-board farmers be given seeds and fertilisers and they should not be deprived of this so that even if the production target is not met by participating in the National Food Security Program, it can be brought close to it.

Two months ago, the extensive agricultural land in southern Punjab, KP and Balochistan, including 30 lakh acres of...