ADB will assist NFSR in strengthening food security of the country

Islamabad:The Asian Development Bank (ADB) would provide Knowledge and Support Technical Assistance (KSTA) to Pakistan in order to achieve sustainable food security as well as for pest control. The consensus to this regard was developed in a video-link meeting between Federal Secretary Ministry of National Food Security and Research Omer Hameed Khan and Director Asian Development Bank (ADB) Yasmin Siddiqi on Tuesday.KSTA will take financial assistance from Technical Support Facility (TSF),Central and West Asia Department (CWRD),climate change fund and water partnership financing fund.The impact if this assistance will helpbin sustaining nation food security. It can help in building resilience in agriculture.The outcome of KSTA will include building institutional capacity for responding sustainably on national food security.Agriculture is a mainstay of Pakistan’s economy and vital to ensuring continued food security.Secretary NFSR,Omer Hameed Khan mentioned that Pakistan seeks to create a modern, efficient and diversified agriculture sector to ensure food security and right now NFSR is focussing on developing sustainable agriculture in 10 districts of Southern Balochistan.He asked ADB to provide assistance in developing agricultural projects in Southern Balochistan.ADB will implement KSTA in next 2 years.Both sides discussed to develop policy framework.