Islamabad: The Senate Standing Committee on National Food Security and Research, chaired by Senator Syed Masroor Ahsan, has passed the Pakistan Animal Science Council Bill, 2023, aimed at enhancing sectors crucial for the country’s food supply, including Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry. The meeting also addressed critical issues of food insecurity and agricultural yield influenced by population dynamics and environmental changes.
According to Senate of Pakistan, the newly approved bill seeks to establish a central body to oversee and promote responsible development within key animal science sectors, ultimately contributing to the availability of healthy and organic food nationwide. Senator Rana Mahmood ul Hassan, one of the bill’s sponsors, highlighted its potential impact on improving sector governance and food quality.
The committee reviewed alarming data presented by the Chairman of the Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC), Dr. Ghulam Muhammad Ali, which underscored the growing challenges of food insecurity exacerbated by rapid urbanization and climate change. With Pakistan’s population projected to surge to 350 million by 2050, the annual food demand is expected to nearly double from the current need of 70 million tons. Notably, the country faces significant food losses amounting to 19.6 million tons annually in social events and hospitality sectors. In response, PARC is focusing on research initiatives like high-yield crop varieties and water-saving drip irrigation technologies.
Discussions also covered the insufficient progress on Climate Smart Agriculture, prompting the committee to call for the introduction of cost-effective modern technologies to aid small farmers and boost agricultural productivity. Additionally, concerns were raised over the lack of comprehensive data from the Cotton Commissioner regarding outstanding cess liabilities amounting to 3.5 billion, owed by the All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA).
The Plant Protection Department briefed the committee on the recent locust damages in Sindh and Balochistan, noting that while the immediate threat has subsided, the department is preparing for future risks by creating 2,421 new positions. However, Senator Aimal Wali Khan recommended prioritizing mechanical enhancements over workforce expansion due to ongoing economic strains, urging the provision of modern aircraft to replace outdated equipment from the 1950s.
The committee’s directives and deliberations underscore an urgent need for strategic interventions across multiple sectors to safeguard Pakistan’s food security and agricultural sustainability.