PM Imran Khan proposes 5-point agenda to uplift developing countries in coronavirus-hit world

Prime Minister Imran Khan Wednesday proposed a five-point agenda to uplift agricultural sectors of the developing countries that faced a setback due to coronavirus.

The premier mentioned the five-point agenda during his address to the forty-fourth session of the International Fund for Agricultural Development's Governing Council.

The conference, taking place on 17 and 18 February 2021, would focus on the overarching theme "Rural development: a prerequisite for global resilience, said IFAD.

PM Imran Khan, addressing the conference, said that over 20 countries are food insecure, adding that the World Food Programme has warned of famine in the world's poorest countries and conflict zones.

He said that the world faces multiple challenges in recovering from the pandemic and achieving vital sustainable development goals of no poverty and zero hunger.

There is a lack of financing, shortage of investment, trade distortions, unsustainable consumption patterns, degradation of agricultural lands and forests, an impending water crisis, loss of biodiversity, and polluted rivers and oceans, he said.

"We need a revolution and a vision for the future. The COVID-19 pandemic and the climate crisis should drive home the message to all — rich and poor and weak or powerful — that we will perish or survive together," the premier said.

PM Imran Khan noted that the concepts of geostrategic adversaries, regional or global domination, political advantages of foreign intervention and occupation, and the oppression of people are outdated and will be soon seen as irrelevant.

"We need a common global plan for the survival and prosperity of all mankind, the prime minister said, adding that he had proposed a debt suspension programme last year.

The premier went on to say that global lenders had helped the developing world, however, citing reports, he said that developing countries need billions of dollars to recover from the pandemic and achieve the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SGDs).

Moving forward, the prime minister proposed a five-point agenda to uplift the developing world and help it recover from the pandemic.

1. We need to install sustainable agricultural infrastructure to facilitate transport, production and distribution of agricultural products — the green lanes set up by China are a good example.

2. Governments, more actively, need to ensure adequate and fair prices for agricultural and food products. The so-called magic of the marketplace should be balanced with the help of the state. Farmers should not be left to the mercy of the cooperations, and at the same time, international agricultural trade must be rationalised.

3.  Breakthrough technologies must be consciously applied to enhance food production, ensure efficient usage of water and land, and above all, improve seed quality.

4. The adoption of digital technologies is as vital in agriculture as in other economic sectors. Ensuring internet and broadband access to rural areas will be vital for their international and global supply chains.

5. Most importantly, we must rethink [of] our patterns of food consumption and production. We can eat better, and many of us would do well to eat less.