Minister for National Food Security and Research, Sahibzada Mehboob Sultan said on Wednesday that the government is taking steps to ensure that the people of the country are provided with healthy diet.

Speaking at an event organised to mark World Food Day, Mehboob Sultan said that the government wants to reduce use of pesticides for cleaner environment and safe food, which is a basic necessity for human life.

"The ministry under the instructions of the Prime Minister has started various projects pertaining to agriculture that encompass wheat and rice too," he said, adding that the current projects will guide the farming community of Pakistan towards better production technologies that will increase the production level.

Chairman PARC Dr Muhammad Azeem Khan stressed on strengthening the efforts for food security and increasing access to sufficient amount of food. He said that the theme of the World Food Day "Our Actions are our Future and Zero Hunger World" has been aligned with the government's manifesto of poverty alleviation through provision of equal access to basic utilities.

The World Food Day 2019 was marked at the National Agriculture Research Centre (NARC) by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) together with the Ministry of National Food Security and Research, Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC), World Food Program (WFP), Oxfam and research institutes.

The representative of food and agriculture organizations stated that World Food Day provides an opportunity to strengthen the global commitment towards zero hunger - one of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adopted by 193 countries.

The resident coordinator of the United Nations in Pakistan also attended the function and read out the message of United Nations Secretary General for the World Food Day. The day is celebrated in 150 countries every day.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2019