Food Security in Pakistan and Need for Public Policy Adjustments

Abstract

Sustainable food and nutrition security solutions demand integration and alignment in public policies, particularly in the post-COVID-19 scenarios. The introduction of integrated public policies to address the food and nutrition needs in Pakistan is an immediate requirement. This study has applied the Foster, Greer and Thorbecke (FGT) index to estimate food and nutrition security dimensions through primary and secondary data. This analysis reveals that food utilization and sustainability have destabilized and deteriorated in Pakistan in recent years. It shows that non-farmers are more food insecure (8 percent) than farmers (4 percent) and this ratio has increased from 2008 to 2018. Food insecurity in terms of food availability and food accessibility has decreased. A holistic approach in public policies toward food security is the clarion call of the time. Therefore, the paper recommends that more focus should be given to knowledge transmission about dietary diversity, provision of quality education, and health facilities in the formulation as well as execution of food security policies.