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LAHORE, Dec 29 (APP): Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Rana Tanveer Hussain has said that rapid population growth and climate change have emerged as the most serious challenges to Pakistan’s food security.
He warned that failure to increase crop production could prevent the country from meeting its future food requirements.
He was chairing a meeting on the National Food Security Policy at the Centre of Excellence in Molecular Biology (CEMB), Punjab University, here on Monday. The meeting was attended by Chairman Pakistan Academy of Sciences Professor Dr Kausar Abdullah Malik, Director CEMB Dr Muaz ur Rehman, leading scientists, food security experts, policymakers, and researchers.
Addressing the meeting, the federal minister said Pakistan does not lack talent in any sector, but emphasized that sustained research is essential for long-term development and improvement. He noted that while the benefits of institutional research are often long-term, the absence of immediate results discourages governments from making adequate investments in research.
Rana Tanveer stressed that national security is directly linked to food security, underscoring the urgent need for extensive research and innovation in the agriculture and food sectors. He said climate change is having the most severe impact on agriculture, resulting in rising production costs, reduced yields, and growing challenges for farmers.
The minister said that protecting agriculture and supporting farmers is a core responsibility of the government. In this regard, he announced that the government will purchase 6 million tons of wheat from farmers at a support price of Rs 3,500 per maund. He emphasized that wheat is Pakistan’s most essential crop and said achieving self-sufficiency in wheat production is vital for ensuring sustainable food security and economic stability.