According to a statement from the Ministry of National Food Security and Research, the World Bank (WB) would contribute $22.2 million toward a programme to help farmers who have been harmed by floods.
Floods in Pakistan’s northern highlands caused by record monsoon rainfall and thawing glaciers have affected over 33 million people and claimed over 1,500 lives, including children. Climate change is being held responsible for the flooding.
In comparison to the 30-year normal, Pakistan received 391mm (15.4 inches) of rain in July and August, while Sindh received 466% more rain than usual.
According to the World Health Organization, millions of people in the affected areas require humanitarian assistance.
The statement was made in Islamabad during a meeting between Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Tariq Bashir Cheema and World Bank South Asia Regional Director for Sustainable Development John A Roome.
According to the statement, both parties talked about the rehabilitation and relief initiatives in the regions devastated by the floods and storms, paying particular attention to the farmer community and food security.
According to Cheema, rain and flooding have wreaked havoc on the agricultural industry and destroyed the rural community. In order to restore normalcy, he continued, “at this crucial time, we are primarily concentrating on restoration work in the flood-affected districts.”
He stated that in order to assist the farmers devastated by the floods, his government has decided to subsidise seeds and fertiliser. The federal government would, in accordance with the idea, cost-share with the provinces to give subsidised inputs to farmers who have been impacted by floods during the forthcoming Rabi season.
Cheema stated that the federal cabinet may soon be presented with the proposed subsidy. We want to give farmers in the disaster-affected areas cheap wheat and edible oil seeds, as well as one fertiliser bag per acre, the official stated.
