Over one billion acres of unused land in Balochistan is lying uncultivated, which could be utilised to produce food and end hunger from Balochistan. This was stated by the Secretary Agriculture Ghulam Ali Baloch while addressing a ceremony organised by FAO held in connection with World Food Day with this year slogan united against hunger at a local hotel here.
He estimated that hardly one quarter of total agricultural land was being utilised in Balochistan, adding financial and technical assistance to the farmers in the province could enhance food productivity and end subsequent threat of hunger posed by the increasing food scarcity.
Twenty percent population of the world does not have access to quality food, he deplored adding reason behind this must be assessed to seek a remedy to end hunger from the globe. Secretary Livestock Zafarullah Baloch, while emphasising the need for paying due attention to the value of fisheries sector, said 400,000 families in Balochistan are dependent on fishing, but no value addition is done to facilitate them.
David William Doolan, International Project Manager, FAO said that the agriculture sector is being neglected. He mentioned the activity of distribution of improved varieties of seed among farmers by FAO has helped to improve food security in the country. Balochistan is endowed with natural potential, for livestock, fisheries and crops he said, adding FAO is providing training for the betterment of the Agriculture and Livestock to the Balochistan farmers in this connection.