Quetta (Staff Reporter): Civil society and social leaders emphasized on World Food Day the need for the government to take action to provide better nutrition to malnourished children and to support farmers who supply healthy food by implementing simple policies to improve their living conditions. These points were discussed at a seminar held at Quetta Press Club, organized by HOPE Balochistan in collaboration with WHH on the occasion of World Food Day. The seminar was attended by students from Balochistan University, social workers, and other individuals.
Addressing the seminar, HOPE Balochistan’s CEO, Kareem Baloch, referenced a global report, highlighting that around 9 million people die annually due to hunger, with an estimated 25,000 deaths per day. He also noted that approximately 1.3 billion tons of food are wasted globally each year. In Pakistan, it is estimated that each person wastes about 250 grams of food during weddings and other events. He explained that the United Nations World Food Program has observed World Food Day annually since 1997 to raise awareness about the importance of food and to combat food wastage. To achieve the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG-2), which is Zero Hunger, it is essential to stop the cycle of food wastage.
Gul Khan Naseer Baloch, Head of Programs at HOPE Balochistan, stated that Pakistan is among the countries with ample food supplies, but due to unnecessary consumption and poor planning, challenges arise. He highlighted that agriculture is the backbone of Pakistan’s development, yet it has been consistently neglected. Naseerabad in Balochistan is a fertile belt for agriculture, but every year, floods destroy farmers’ ready crops, and due to a lack of planning, rainwater is wasted. He urged the government to create a policy to conserve floodwaters, which would not only meet Balochistan’s food needs but could also supply food to other provinces. He pointed out that local farmers purchase seeds from companies at high-interest rates, and government support is needed to free them from these debts. Programs similar to the Benazir Income Support Program should be introduced for farmers. He also suggested expanding a program to distribute lunch boxes in schools to combat child malnutrition and provide better nutrition to children across all districts in Balochistan.
He shared that HOPE Balochistan is working on a project in Jhal Magsi where they assist farmers in leveling the land and selecting high-quality seeds. They are also encouraging women to grow healthy vegetables and fruits through kitchen gardening at the household level to increase fresh produce.
On this occasion, speakers including Professor Faiza Mir, Advocate Abdul Hai Baloch, Anum Malik Mengal, Sadiq Sarmalani, Mir Behram Baloch, William Shezan, Syed Akhtar, and others stated that while Balochistan is a province rich in minerals and natural resources, dozens of children are seen scavenging garbage on Quetta’s streets due to hunger, with many unable to access even a single meal a day. Mothers and children do not receive adequate nutrition, leading to stunted growth and a variety of health issues. They stressed that there is no shortage of food in Pakistan; wheat and grains are available in abundance. However, there is a need to implement simple and modern agricultural methods to enhance production, such as cultivating fruits and seeds that yield higher production with less water. They concluded that it is everyone’s responsibility to exercise frugality and prevent food waste during weddings and other events.
