PAKISTAN / FOOD CRISIS

A new report by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) warns that critical food insecurity is affecting 31 countries and requires emergency assistance. In Pakistan, the FAO and the European Union (EU) have partnered to provide seed and fertilizer to almost 100,000 farmers in rural Pakistan who were hit by the surge in food prices last year. The Rome World Summit on Food Security to be held in Rome on November 16-18. FAO

• Categories: News & Features / News Stories / Unifeed
• Video Length: 00:02:48
• Production Date: 10 November 2009
• Asset Language: Original
• Corporate Name: FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION - FAO
• Subject Topical: ECONOMIC CONDITIONS; FOOD INDUSTRY; NUTRITION
• MAMS Id: U091110c

Description

STORY: PAKISTAN / FOOD CRISIS
TRT: 2.48
SOURCE: FAO
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH/ SERAIKI /NATS

DATELINE: 5 – 10 OCTOBER 2009, MULTAN PROVINCE, PAKISTAN

Shotlist

1. Various shots, shoppers and price boards showing rising prices
2. Various shots, Multan marketplace
3. Various shots, farmers at work
4. Close up, farmer handling seeds
5. Close up, cash register and hands counting money
6. Various shots, FAO/ EU trucks distribution
7. SOUNDBITE (English) Faizul Bari, FAO / EU Food Facility Project Manager:
“The project, which is aiming at 17 districts in Pakistan, is basically focusing on those districts which are food deficit and food vulnerable. The focus is on the small farmer. So the idea is that if you provide them with the seeds, if we build their capacity, if we build these irrigation systems – help them repair the irrigation systems – we expect that the current productivity would increase to around 30 percent.”
8. Various shots, FAO / EU Food Facility
9. Various shots, seed and fertilizer distribution
10.SOUNDBITE (Seraiki) Sharifa Bibi, farmer beneficiary:
“We are always worrying about our income, and how we can relieve our anxiety. If the crops grow, we will be in peace. But if we have to buy food from outside, what else can we do?”
11. Various shots, training session for farmers
12. Various shots, project to improve water harvesting and irrigation
13. SOUNDBITE (English) Imran Ashraf, EU Development Advisor:
“It is very simple and people are very happy when they see that after doing this they can save almost 40 percent of water in the water course.”
14. Various shots, streets of Multan town, traffic and people;
15. Various shots, rural life in Multan; farmer and son in tractor;

Storyline

In the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, the recent rise in food prices has made the food security situation significantly worse. There was a bumper harvest this year, and the marketplaces and shops are full. Yet around half the population is going through life without adequate food. And that’s because food prices are prohibitively high, especially in the rural areas where most of the poorest people live. And it is increasingly difficult for small-scale farmers to live off the land. Resources are limited, and the seeds and fertilizer needed for good yields are just too expensive.

But now, FAO, WFP and the EU have joined forces on the EU Food Facility’s Pakistan programme, designed to reduce hunger and increase agricultural productivity.

SOUNDBITE (English) Faizul Bari, FAO / EU Food Facility Project Manager:
“The project, which is aiming at 17 districts in Pakistan, is basically focusing on those districts which are food deficit and food vulnerable. The focus is on the small farmer. So the idea is that if you provide them with the seeds, if we build their capacity, if we build these irrigation systems – help them repair the irrigation systems – we expect that the current productivity would increase to around 30 percent.”

The EU Food Facility is a 1 billion Euro programme, launched to respond rapidly and on a large scale to rising hunger around the world. Over 200 million euro will be channelled through FAO for operations in more than 20 countries. And one of the priority countries is Pakistan - particularly the western provinces that share a border with Afghanistan, and other affected areas. Almost 100,000 farmers have already received good quality wheat and vegetable seeds, as well as fertilizer, in time for the next planting season. All are hoping for better yields.

SOUNDBITE (Seraiki) Sharifa Bibi, farmer beneficiary:
“We are always worrying about our income, and how we can relieve our anxiety. If the crops grow, we will be in peace. But if we have to buy food from outside, what else can we do?”

FAO and the EU Food Facility are also providing training sessions on how best to use the new seeds and fertilizer. New farming methods are being introduced, for better crop yields.

And another major problem faced by the farmers is being addressed with work to improve irrigation and water harvesting systems. Better water management will ensure an increase in productivity beyond the current season – as well as immediate results.

SOUNDBITE (English) Imran Ashraf, EU Development Advisor:
“It is very simple and people are very happy when they see that after doing this they can save almost 40 percent of water in the water course.”

In Pakistan, the EU Food Facility is a 40 million euro operation. By working together, the EU, FAO and WFP will improve the lives of millions of the most vulnerable people.

And a reduction in hunger and poverty will contribute to a better and more peaceful future.