Pakistan Dairy Association (PDA), in collaboration with Punjab Food Authority (PFA) and GAIN, successfully organized a National Dialogue on World Food Day 2024 at the local hotel. The event gathered key stakeholders from the government, industry, academia, and civil society to discuss the pressing challenges surrounding food safety, food security, and the role of the dairy sector in securing Pakistan’s nutritional future.
The dialogue featured prominent figures, including Usman Zaheer, Chairman PDA , Shehzad Amin, CEO PDA, Muhammad Asim Javaid, Director General Punjab Food Authority, Muhammad Wasif Saeed, Prof Dr Tallat Naseer Pasha, DG Punjab Agriculture Drug & Food Authority (PAFDA), Ramesh Singh Arora, Minister for Minorities & Human Affairs, and others.
The event underscored the importance of food security as vital to national stability and development. With millions across Pakistan facing food insecurity, initiatives that ensure access to safe and nutritious food are critical for the country’s progress. World Food Day 2024 focused on global challenges related to food security, calling for collective action to ensure that everyone has access to adequate nutrition.
Dairy plays a crucial role in Pakistan’s food security as a wholesome and nutrient-rich food source, essential for a healthy and growing future. Dairy products contribute significantly to the nutrition of children and families and are key to both public health and the rural economy.
In his keynote speech, Dr Shehzad Amin, CEO of the Pakistan Dairy Association, emphasized that dairy is a vital food for proper growth and development but noted that the sector faces major challenges. These include production inefficiencies, high feed costs, supply chain disruptions and rising costs at the consumer level. Dr. Shehzad Said “Food Safety is much larger than food security” & raised concerns about the severe health impact of rising prices, particularly on children under five, with 43.7% stunted, 15.1% wasted, and 31.5% underweight due to malnutrition. He further pointed out that Pakistan’s food safety ranking has dropped from 43rd to 49th globally, which is an alarming trend. CEO PDA urged all stakeholders to work together to resolve these issues to ensure a healthier and better future for Pakistan.
Usman Zaheer Ahmad, Chairman PDA and CEO of Fauji Foods, discussed the detrimental impact of the 18% GST on packaged milk. He highlighted how this tax has significantly increased milk prices, making it unaffordable for many families and restricting children’s access to essential nutrition. He warned that the 18% GST on packaged milk could lead to a 40% decline in the consumption of safe milk, and the government could lose Rs. 59 billion in tax revenue.
He further highlighted the severe impact on dairy farmers, whose revenues have drastically reduced, affecting their livelihoods. Farmers are already struggling with rising feed costs, which have significantly increased production costs. Inadequate care for livestock due to financial constraints has resulted in lower milk yields, exacerbating the situation. Additionally, supply chain inefficiencies have caused costs to increase by 18-25%, further threatening the stability of the farming sector. Mr. Zaheer demanded the government “to establish task force to address ensuring milk affordability, accessibility, and the welfare of dairy farmers”.
Noor Aftab, Head of Public Affairs and Government Relations at Tetra Pak Pakistan emphasized on the role Tetra Pak is playing to support food security and reducing food waste by saying, “At Tetra Pak, we are committed towards enabling innovative packaging and processing solutions that ensure the safety and availability of food to everyone through a sustainable manner. By working closely within the dairy industry and with regulatory bodies, we help bring international best practices and benchmark quality standards ensuring nutritious products reach consumers safely while reducing food waste along the supply chain.”
Ramesh Singh Arora, Minister for Minorities & Human Affairs, discussed the significant challenges to food security, particularly due to urbanization and a 12% reduction in agricultural land. He called for concerted efforts to improve food production and access to nutritious food, especially for vulnerable populations. He further emphasizes that “Access to safe and nutritious food is a fundamental right”. Following this, prominent speakers addressed various aspects of food safety and nutrition. Prof. Dr. Tallat Naseer Pasha, DG of Punjab Agriculture Drug & Food Authority, discussed the role of regulatory authorities in ensuring food safety, while Muhammad Asim Javaid, DG of Punjab Food Authority, shed light on addressing nutritional needs through safe food. Muhammad Wasif Saeed, DG of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Food Safety & Halal Food Authority, highlighted provincial initiatives for improving food safety and nutrition.