Senate panel highlights climate threat to food security

Ahsan called for bringing immediate improvements in seed quality in order to ensure self-sufficiency in food

By Our Correspondent
March 04, 2025
Senator Syed Masroor Ahsan, Chairman Senate Standing Committee on National Food Security and Research Presiding over a Meeting of The Committee at Parliament House Islamabad, March 3, 2025. — Senate of Pakistan
Senator Syed Masroor Ahsan, Chairman Senate Standing Committee on National Food Security and Research Presiding over a Meeting of The Committee at Parliament House Islamabad, March 3, 2025. — Senate of Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: The Senate Standing Committee on National Food Security and Research sounded alarm over climate change’s growing impact on Pakistan’s food sector, as the panel chairman Senator Syed Masroor Ahsan criticised the government’s failure to counter its effects.

Presiding over the committee meeting, Ahsan stressed that declining crop yields posed a serious threat to food security, while the private sector continued to raise concerns over the government’s inaction in this regard.

He questioned why neighbouring countries had surged ahead in agricultural production, while Pakistan was struggling with deficits. He called for bringing immediate improvements in seed quality in order to ensure self-sufficiency in food.

With climate pressures mounting, Pakistan’s agricultural future hinges on swift policy action and technological innovation—a challenge that remains unresolved. During the meeting, the Ministry of National Food Security briefed senators on its Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) 2024-25, revealing a Rs9.9 billion allocation for 26 projects, including 11 under the Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC). Officials outlined plans to integrate IT and technology into agriculture, promote solar-powered tube wells, and establish a seed hatchery. However, the ministry admitted that project execution remained slow, with key targets now set for June 2025.

The committee also reviewed budgetary proposals for 2025-26, aimed at boosting productivity and attracting private-sector investment to enhance exports. Lawmakers debated the proposed new authority for the fruit and vegetable industry, with officials stating it would incorporate digital technology to drive sectoral growth.

The meeting was attended by senators Danesh Kumar, Poonjo Bheel, Abdul Wasay, Dost Muhammad Khan, Federal Secretary Waseem Ajmal, Managing Director Pakistan Agricultural Storage & Services Corporation Limited (PASSCO) Sarfaraz Durrani, and Chairman PARC Ghulam Muhammad Ali, among others.