ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan, while describing agriculture as “central to human survival”, proposed a five-point agenda to end poverty and hunger from the world.
While delivering a keynote address at the governing council of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) virtually, PM Imran once again drew the attention of the developed world towards poorer economies that are struggling more than ever before because of the coronavirus pandemic.
“We need a revolution and a vision for the future. The COVID-19 pandemic and the climate crisis should send a message to all that we will perish or survive together,” the Prime Minister added.
He pointed out that there is a lack of financing, shortage of investment, trade distortions, unsustainable consumption patterns, degradation of agricultural lands and forests, an impending water crisis, and polluted rivers and oceans.
The premier further said that agriculture was central to human survival and 600m people suffered from hunger even as the global population was about to hit eight billion.
“We need a common plan and strategy for global recovery and survival and prosperity of all humanity in response to the recession triggered by the COVID-19 crisis,” he added. In this regard, the Prime Minister proposed a five-point agenda end poverty and hunger from the world.
The prime minister said firstly they ought to invest in sustainable agriculture infrastructure – for facilitating transport, production and distribution of agricultural inputs and food products. “The Green Lanes created by China was a good example,” he added.
Secondly, he said, the governments needed to more actively ensure adequate and fair prices for agricultural and food products. “The so-called magic of the market place should be balanced by the very visible hand of the State, and farmers should not be left to the mercy of the corporations” he added.
Thirdly, PM Imran said, the new and breakthrough agricultural technologies and techniques must be consciously applied to enhance food production; ensure efficient usage of water and land; and above all improve seed quality.
Fourthly, the prime minister said the adoption of digital technologies was as vital in agriculture as in other economic sectors. “Ensuring internet and broadband access to the rural areas would be vital for their integration into national and global supply chains,” he added.
“Fifth, and perhaps the most important, we must re-think our patterns of food consumption and production. We can eat better and many of us would do well to eat less. We can produce food with greater respect for Nature. We can stop the pollution of our lakes, rivers and oceans. We can produce more with less water, and without dangerous chemicals,” he maintained.
