Islamabad 25 September 2023

A comprehensive joint plan on the supply chain is needed to bring down food prices and discourage inflation

Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research, Dr. Kausar Abdullah Malik held an introductory briefing on the Agriculture Policy Institute, Islamabad. Director General Abdul Karim gave a detailed briefing about the work of Agriculture Policy Institute and its ongoing projects. He said that API analyzes the impact of key agricultural policies on groups like consumers, processors and exporters and advises on necessary policy adjustments for equity in the country. Dr. Kausar Malik said that the Agriculture Policy Institute should work on an agreed comprehensive plan on the food supply chain in consultation with the provinces, which would pave the way to control the artificial increase in food prices. Rising food prices are a result of supply and demand mismatch or weak regulatory framework and hoarding. The API should enable the Food Security Advisory Council to act as a bridge between the federal and provincial governments on the impact of key agricultural policies with special focus on food prices. There is a need to review the existing market committees in the country with the support of the provinces to identify major problems and deficiencies at the grassroots level.