Decreasing Water Reserves Pose Serious Threat to Food Security

The National Assembly Standing Committee on National Food Security and Research has raised serious concerns over declining water availability, climate change, and rapid population growth, warning that these factors pose a growing threat to national food security.

Chaired by Syed Tariq Hussain, the committee directed the Ministry of National Food Security to present a detailed 20-year plan in its next meeting, complete with targets, timelines, and strategies.

The panel criticised falling crop yields in cotton, wheat, and rice, calling them a failure of both the ministry and the Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC), largely due to weak seed research.

A performance review of PARC over the past decade has been demanded, along with accountability for poor outcomes.

The ministry was also told to ensure proper distribution of imported seeds, run awareness campaigns, and use controlled environments to test yields.

Meanwhile, a report highlighting the sale of fake seeds and delays in wheat procurement was submitted, with the committee urging swift action.

Out of 1,200 registered seed firms, 392 licences have been cancelled. The committee stressed the need for legal action against fraudulent sellers and officials, saying “challans are not enough.”