Gilgit, Jun 22 (APP):Sony Jawari Center for Public Policy (SJCPP) in collaboration with WWF-Pakistan and ICIMOD organised a day long policy dialogue on agriculture, food and nutrition security in Gilgit-Baltistan to share and discuss the draft policy with relevant stakeholders.
Representatives of government, research and academia, civil society organizations, media and private sector participated in the policy dialogue.
On behalf of the Chief Minister Gilgit-Baltistan, senior Provincial Minister Colonel (R) Obaidullah Baig chaired the event as chief guest, said a news release.
The purpose of the dialogue was to discuss and seek feedback on draft policy for agriculture, food and nutrition security for Gilgit-Baltistan.
Khadim Hussain Secretary Agriculture reflected on the current challenges, opportunities and government plans for agriculture, food and nutrition security in GB. He emphasized on the participatory policy development and encouraged the participants to read the draft and give their inputs to incorporate.
In his remarks, Safdar Khan, Secretary Food GB reflected on the negative effects of subsidies on climate resilient traditional crops.
Dr. Azhar Hussain from KIU and Abid Hussain from the ICIMOD presented the draft policy and facilitated the discussion and answered the questions raised by the participants. They further pledged to share the draft and to incorporate the participant’s feedback.
Ghulam Ali and Dr. Babar from the ICIMOD presented and discussed the agro-tourism (organic food streets in GB) and WEFE nexus approach with the participants.
In his remarks chief guest Col(r) Obaid Ullah Baig highlighted that Gilgit-Baltistan is a very fertile region in terms of resources to produce food for the people of Gilgit-Baltistan and Pakistan. However there is a need to create awareness among the people and foster partnership among the institutions to leverage policy benefits that empowers them.
He further stated that, the negative effects of the subsidies can be transformed into more productive uses. In the past, Gilgit-Baltistan used to be self-sufficient in food production to certain extend, however now there is a need of use of resilient, green and inclusive practices and technologies to increase the yield and productivity of foods.
He appreciated the technical inputs from ICIMOD, GB Agriculture, Irrigation and water management, GB health, Fisheries and livestock department and WWF-Pakistan to taking forward the policy draft.
Haider Raza, regional head WWF-Pakistan thanked all the stakeholders for their inputs and to join hands with the GB government to consolidate a policy draft on agriculture, food and nutrition security in GB.
APP/P:ajb/X
Follow the PNI Facebook page for the latest news and updates.
