Moalims

ISLAMABAD: National Food Security and Research Minister Sikander Hayat Khan Bosan on Tuesday highlighted that an approach with focus on education, health and social welfare is vital for hunger eradication and to ensure food security.
The minister expressed these views during a meeting with the Oxfam Penny Lawrence (OPL) deputy chief executive, at his office.
Matters pertaining to sustainable livelihood, food security and sanitation came under discussion.
The minister apprised the Oxfam delegates that inspired from the Brazilian model, Pakistan has launched a Zero Hunger and Family Farming programme.
The programme aims to reach out to 61 million people. Salient features of this initiative include stimulus programme to expand farm output and market access, targeted and conditional social safety nets and food transfers to food insecure households.
The minister said that multiple initiatives have been taken to break the cycle of rural poverty and hunger. “Value addition, agriculture modernisation, higher returns on agricultural produce, livestock, dairy and poultry development remain the focus of attention,” he added.
Collaborative measures to ensure food security, mechanisms for financial assistance during droughts and natural calamities, value addition, agricultural marketing and capacity building came under discussion.
The OPL deputy chief executive praised the commitment of the government towards agriculture and welcomed the joint ventures to eradicate hunger and malnutrition.
The minister mentioned that the ministry would welcome support from Oxfam for the School Feeding Programme.
Oxfam has been working in Pakistan since 1973. The international non-government organisation (INGO) works in collaboration with the government and private sector to improve the livelihood of those living in poverty and provides humanitarian assistance to those affected by natural calamities.

News reference: http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/national/01-Jul-2015/education-social-welfare-a-must-to-end-hunger-says-minister