Pakistan's Fiscal Budget 2010-11 and Food Security & Poverty

On invitation from civil society,The Action Aid Pakistan & CPRD, speaking in a seminar on Fiscal budget 2010-11: Food Security & Poverty, held in Islamabad on 23rd June, 2010,Dr. Wajid Pirzada a Food Security Analyst and Expert on WTO Food & Agriculture related matter said that agriculture & related activties in Pakistan are a rural function. Majority population in Pakistan ekes out its existence from agriculture.The agriculture sector/ rural economy however, is at risk because of market imperfections, poor infrasrtucture and insufficient investment in public goods.
National government need to be cognizant that provision of labour force, livelihood generation& distribution, natural resource management( including non-renewable energy) are all linked to rual agricultural economy.As such an informed national policy can not ignore this vital sector of economy.Further agriculture like any other strategic sector is one of the basic pillars of national sovereignty, he addded. As food insecurity can threaten socio-economic & political stability.
He appreciated investment by the Government in social safety net through Benazir Income Support Fund, and urged the Government and civil society to join thei heads and hands to augment national efforts directed towards alleviation of poverty.
He said inflation in the country was counter productive in terms of attainment of MDGs, as the poor strata was spending more than 60 % of their income on securing food.Efforts therefore need to be guided to follow a virtuous cycle- investment in small farmers/poor & rural areas, more agricultural production & income, lower fod prices, improved food security & reduced poverty.

Impact of Import surges on developing countries

Dr Wajid Pirzada, the International Project Leader to the study- Impact of Import Surges on Kenyan Sugar Industry, spent a lot of his time going through the draft report and editing it for content and quality. He offered very useful insights to the report and helped us to refine our thinking. For all this we owe him a great debt.
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