A prominent expert on fisheries sector, Omar Hayat has said that fish is an excellent source of animal protein in Pakistan faced a growing population and limited sources of protein. Talking to Business Recorder, he said that the present per capita availability of protein is much below the minimum daily requirement and the livestock and dairy farming sector alone will not be able to meet the increasing requirement of protein and termed fish is an excellent source of animal protein.
The importance of animal protein in human diet as described in a report of a joint FAO/WHO expert group on "Protein Requirement" states that in practice the protein intake for all adults should not fall below one gram of protein per kilogram of body weight.
The protein should be derived from a variety of sources and it is desirable that a part of the protein should be of animal origin. As fish protein has a high biological value similar to that of land animals, and is relatively cheaper source of protein, its use may result in bridging the protein gap because of its multifarious economic advantages and nutritional significance.
Apart from marine fisheries, inland fisheries (comprising of rivers, lakes, ponds, dams etc) are also very important source of animal protein. Fish contributes more than 10 percent of the total animal protein intake of the world. The consumption of fish is very low in Pakistan. In 2002-03, it was 1.77 kgs per capita annually whereas in the rest of South and East Asia the domestic consumption accounts for at least half of the total production. Pakistan consumes domestically only 26 percent with 19 percent being exported and giant 55 percent going for fishmeal. This pattern reflects the low quality of fish brought in by the fisherman.
This low average in Pakistan becomes more crucial when other resources of protein are also below the required level. However, there is tremendous variation in per capita consumption of fish within the country.
In this respect Balochistan is at the top, ie 6.80 kgs per capita per annum in 1975-76 which declined to 5.28 kgs per annum in 2002-03. Per capita per annum consumption of fish in Sindh though declined from 4.25 kgs per capita per annum in 1975-76 to 2.98 kgs per capita per annum in 2002-03, is second.
Per capita annually fish consumption of Punjab and NWFP though increased from 0.12 and 0.04 kgs in 1975-76 respectively to 1.00 and 0.71 kgs in 2002-03, is till very low. This indicates that fish in Sindh occupy a prominent place in consumer's diet (though its consumption has decreased).
The consumption of fish in Sindh can increase if the price of fish is brought down to a reasonable level. To do that it is essential that production of fish is increased. The government can increase fish production; by giving more incentives and subsidies to fishermen, by improving socio-economic conditions of fishermen and through an efficient fish marketing system.
He said Pakistan is strategically located connecting South Asia, Middle East and Central Asian countries of the world. Pakistan is a middle income country with per capita income of $1,382 will low human development with growing population and slow economic growth since last five years.
The main problem faced due increasing population and slow growth has hampered in achievement of millennium goals. The other social indicators are also not encouraging because of educational level of the population. As per statement of World Food Summit 1996 "Food security exists when all people, at all times, have physical and economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food to meet their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life"
Food availability particularly remarkable progress has been made in cereal production and its availability at current consumption levels while production of fruits and livestock is also good. Based on existing level of production of livestock, rice, mango, citrus fruits and mango a chunk of it is exported. However, the exports and local availability of livestock will be affected due to slaughtering of young female animals for export.
Maintenance of adequate food production is a challenge for increasing population with the expected economic growth, and in the face of adverse climatic impacts and environmental degradation. Opportunities for increasing production still exist in Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries sectors in whole of Pakistan. Large geographic disparities exist between the districts of all the provinces.
Economic access is the main limiting factor to food security in the country. Poverty is significant up to 60 percent with $2 per capita income and population below poverty line is 22 to 23 percent as per Human Development Rating. There is large disparity between 'have's and 'have-not's; inadequate employment for stagnant economy and growing population. Labour rate participation rate for 15 years and older women is 24 to 25 percent and men 89 percent as per HRD 2014.
Majority of the farmers do not have their own land for cultivation and the rising prices of the consumable commodities is adding pressure on the house hold as physical access is also impacting in Khyber Pakhtunkhawa, Gilgit Baltistan, Balochistan and AJK. The other impacting factor is literacy rate of 57 percent female 45 percent for food security and nutrition.
The half of population in our country is not taking adequate intake of caloric ie 2100 Kcal per capita per day required for healthy living (FSA2013). The Government of Pakistan Vision document reflects food security level to 60 percent, which is an alarming situation for the food deficit areas of Pakistan. This will create stunning in children and nutritional deficiencies disease in the lactating mothers. The hidden hunger is in under five-year of age children which have micronutrients deficiencies have never been put to lime light. Pakistan is a signatory of the global commitment signed regarding MDGs, covering targets pertaining to poverty, health, education and living conditions. The time period for achieving MDGs was between 1990 and 2015.