Food basket cost per person rises to Rs2250 a month in 2018: survey

ISLAMABAD: The cost of food basket has witnessed increase from Rs2046 in July 2017 to Rs2250 in 2018 per person per month, reveals the Economic Survey for 2017-18.

Citing statistics from the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics, the survey says that the food expenditure gradually increased from Rs2046 in July to Rs2400 in October 2017 and gradually decreased to Rs2085 in March 2018.

However, it noted that the average cost remained Rs2250 per month per person during the period starting from July 2017 to March 2018. The cost of food basket is estimated every month, providing 2100 calories and 60 grams of protein, using representing data from the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics.

Some of the initiatives taken include: Nutrition Interventions/Activities: PSDP 2017-18 has allocated for “National initiative for SDGs/Nutrition”. The two projects have been prepared by the Nutrition Section MPDR; “Nutrition Awareness and Institutional Strengthening Programme” PC Rs1200 million - “Utilisation of specialised nutritious products for stunting prevention in commercial and social safety sectors through public private partnership” PC II cost Rs440 million Federal Nutrition Programme for ICT, AJK, FATA and GB, one district in each area sponsored by M/o National Health Services, Regulation & Coordination (MNHSRC) is under approval process (PC I cost Rs248 million).

Pakistan Multi-Sectoral Nutrition Strategy has been prepared based on provincial multi-sectoral nutrition strategies and is ready for launch and implementation. Pakistan dietary guidelines for better nutrition (PDGN) have been prepared to provide nutrition information for healthy living to the masses.

Food Composition Table (FCT) for 350 raw and cooked food items with 25 nutrients based on data from 12 agro zones is under preparation.

Task force for Early Childhood Development (ECD) has been established and Letter of Intent (LOI) is signed by nutrition partner to formulate National Policy Framework.

Pakistan Food Fortification Strategy has been revised to take up sustained actions to overcome micronutrient deficiencies while to overcome Iodine Deficiency Disorders (IDD) Iodization (USI) continued in 110 districts through public private partnership with enhanced quality control and quality assurance. Food Fortification Programme has started in 43 Oil/Ghee mills having vitamin A&D and 123 flour mills with iron, folic acid, zinc and vitamin B12 in wheat flour to overcome hidden hunger.