ANALYSIS OF THE DECREASING FOOD SECURITY SITUATION IN PAKISTAN

Food security is an important issue in the developing countries like Pakistan. In the world ranking Pakistan is at 78^th position in food security. Around 60% of the population, mainly women still faces food insecurity due to limited food access. Besides, 15% of under 5 years children suffer from acute malnutrition and 44% of children in the same age group are stunted, (WFO,  2018).The concept of food security means “that all people, at all times, have physical, social, and economic access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food that meets their food preferences and dietary needs for an active and healthy life” (FAO, 2010).Concerning this issue, we aim here to explain why food security is decreasing still in Pakistan? The first hypothesis refers to political and economic factors in a relation through which political instability would affect food production and consequently hindering regular food offer. The second hypothesis concerns to social aspects considering that education and family structure would affect income and consequently food accessibility.Through literature review two variables were decided, each one supported by two and three indicators. The first variable is related to economic aspects and will be analysed through indicators, such as production and stability of food. The second variable concerns social aspects and will be studied through indicators as education, family structure and income. Through comparative and integrated analysis of the variables and its respective indicators, random sampling technique will be used to collect data from sample rural and urban households through a questioner, interviews, observation and focus group discussion (FGDs). Secondary data will be obtained from journal, books, internet and relevant departments likeRevenue and Agriculture Department: different crops annual production, yield per hectare (wheat, maize, rice, barley, bean, cereal, sugarcane etc). Population census organisation: population and household related data.Collected data will be analysed through statistical methods like data tabulation (frequency distributions & percent distributions) and comparing with each other. The expected finding the key social safety nets meet nutritional and nutritional needs, and meet the diverse needs of poor men, women, boys and girls in urban and rural areas, so as to break the cycle of poverty and malnutrition.