This study covers only SDG target 2.1 (2.1.1-Prevalance of Undernourishment and 2.1.2-Food Insecurity Experience Scale). Though FAO is the custodian organization for estimating these targets across the globe, however, it is the first ever attempt for estimating these targets by PARC-MNFS&R. HIES data for the year 2018-19 has been used for estimation of these targets and compared with the results of HIES-2015-16 estimated by FAO. According to the results 18.38 percent households are undernourished in Pakistan and this situation is worse in urban areas (23.43%) compared with rural areas (16.61%). Punjab has highest proportion of undernourished individuals/households with 21.48 percent followed by Sindh province with 17.40 percent households. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has the lowest proportion of 12.67 percent and Baluchistan with 16.95 percent households. National level results of FIES supports the results of PoU except urban/rural order. According to FIES results, about 16 percent of the households (individuals) are moderate and/or severe food insecure with more than 02 percent as severe food insecure in Pakistan. Sindh province shows highest proportion with more than 19 percent followed by KP province with nearly 17 percent households as moderate and severe food insecure. However, highest proportions of more than 03 percent households were found as severe food insecure in Punjab province. In conclusion Pakistan has shown tremendous achievements towards the Zero Hunger Targets by 2030, however, more efforts are needed for sustainable agriculture and food system in order to address the food insecurity level through better access and availability of food. Awareness campaign about healthy and nutritious food intake, and measures for adoption of dietary guidelines are recommended for preventing undernourishment.
This study attempts to determine the dietary diversity score for different food groups and estimates the current demand for different food groups in AJK. Data for this study was collected from 1250 households covering all 10 administrative districts of AJK by following multi-stage sampling techniques through a comprehensive interview schedule. Ten commodity groups (Wheat, Rice, Milk, Meat, Vegetables, Fruits, Pulses, Oil/Ghee, Tea and Other food were developed for analysis. Linear Approximate-Almost Ideal Demand System (LA-AIDS) model was used for estimating food demand elasticities through Zellner’s Seemingly Unrelated Regression by using STATA software. All the 10 food groups were found normal goods, except milk and fruits (income elasticity higher than unity). This implies that in future demand for milk and fruits would increase more proportionately as income would increase. The own price elasticities of all 10-food groups were also found congruent to economic theory (Wheat-0.28, Rice-0.65, Milk-0.92, Meat-0.34, Fruits-0.61, Vegetables-0.21, Pulses-0.29, Oil and ghee-0.04, Tea-0.35 and Other food-0.32). The income and own price elasticities depicted that wheat, vegetables, pulses and oil and ghee are necessities as compared to other food groups. The cross-price elasticity illustrated that rice could be a substitute for wheat and wheat for rice in the State of AJK. The Berry’s Index (82.43) depicted that food was diverse on average with a minimum Index value of 61.31. The study of different factors in relation to Berry’s Index depicted that education and income significantly and positively affect Berry’s Index while location of household in urban or rural area do not affect diversification of food. Inclusion of all necessities in Food Stamp program and Ramadan package and efforts by agriculture and livestock department regarding improved production of food commodities are recommended.
The objective of this research was to conduct an economic evaluation of smallholders’ practices i.e tomatoonion intercropping (toi) and tomato sole cropping (ts). Primary farmer’s field-level data was used in the study. Resource use efficiency and financial profitability indicators were calculated for comparison of two tomato cultivation systems. A financial model based on a modified Policy Analysis Matrix (PAM) approach was used as a method of research. The result indicates that 53 percent respondent adopts the tomato-onion intercropping system and remaining 47 percent respondents follows sole tomato system. Tomato-onion intercropping gave higher private profitability (US$. 1556/acre) with a benefit-cost ratio (BCR) of 2.35 compared to sole tomato with private profitability of US$.913 per acre with BCR 1.88. A higher BCR was found in tomato-onion intercropping than in the sole tomato cropping system. Tomato onion intercropping (toi) has more resource use efficiency with less Private Cost Ratio (PCR) value 0.30 as compared to tomato sole with PCR value 0.38. In conclusion, the tomato-onion intercropping system resulted in higher net income may be a viable option for smallholders to mitigate the economic risk of sole tomato cultivation. The result proved that the sole tomato cropping system is also economically viable however tomato-onion intercropping proved promising practice to minimize the economic risk of sole tomato crop. The findings have implicates that tomato-onion intercropping has the potential to increase the livelihoods of the smallholders in the study area.
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