Wednesday, February 12, 2025
Wednesday, February 12, 2025
HomePakistanThe tragic truth of $4 Billion annual food wastage in Pakistan

The tragic truth of $4 Billion annual food wastage in Pakistan

The dark reality of Food waste in Pakistan

Food waste is a global problem, and Pakistan is no exception. Despite the fact that many people in the country are in desperate need of food, a report by the Ministry of National Food Security & Research has found that Pakistan wastes 26% of its food production annually. This is a staggering amount, and it is causing untold damage to the environment and the economy.

The report revealed that the yearly food waste in Pakistan is 19.6 million tonnes. This is a significant amount of food that could have been used to feed millions of people who are currently struggling to make ends meet. It is important to note that this figure only takes into account the food that is wasted before it reaches consumers. If we were to include the food that is wasted by consumers, the figure would be much higher.

According to the report, most food items are wasted for not meeting the supply chain criteria. This means that food is being wasted because it does not meet certain standards that have been set by the food industry. This could be due to a number of reasons, such as the food being misshapen, discolored, or damaged. Instead of finding ways to use this food, it is simply thrown away.

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Another reason why food is wasted is due to expiry. A majority of food waste in Pakistan occurs in homes, where food is thrown away because it has passed its expiry date. This is a problem that can be easily addressed by educating people about the importance of using food before it goes bad. In addition to this, people can be encouraged to use food that is still good but has passed its sell-by date.

Food waste has a number of negative impacts on the environment. When food is wasted, it ends up in landfills where it decomposes and releases methane, a potent greenhouse gas. Methane is 25 times more potent than carbon dioxide when it comes to trapping heat in the atmosphere. This means that food waste is contributing to global warming and climate change. In addition to this, food waste also wastes the resources that were used to produce food in the first place, such as water and energy.

The economic impact of food waste is also significant. When food is wasted, it means that the resources that were used to produce it were also wasted. This includes the money that was spent on seeds, fertilizers, and pesticides, as well as the labor that was required to grow and harvest the food. All of these resources could have been used for other purposes, such as improving infrastructure or providing education and healthcare.

So, what can be done to reduce food waste in Pakistan? One solution is to improve the supply chain. This could involve better storage facilities, improved transportation methods, and better communication between farmers and retailers. By improving the supply chain, we can ensure that more food reaches consumers and less is wasted.

Another solution is to educate people about the importance of reducing food waste. This could involve campaigns that encourage people to use food before it goes bad, to plan meals in advance, and to buy only what they need. In addition to this, businesses can be encouraged to donate excess food to charity instead of throwing it away.

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Finally, there needs to be a change in mindset when it comes to food waste. Food should be seen as a valuable resource that needs to be used wisely. Instead of throwing food away, we should find ways to use it, such as by making compost or using it to feed animals. By changing our mindset, we can reduce food waste and ensure that more people have access to the food they need.

Food waste is a significant problem in Pakistan. It is wasting valuable resources, damaging the environment, and making it harder for people to access the food they need. By improving the supply chain, educating people, and changing our mindset, we can reduce food waste.

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