FAO conducted the fifth-round household survey in Pakistan's Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Sindh provinces from 22 November to 31 December 2023, interviewing 11,584 rural households across 47 districts using two-step cluster sampling. The DIEM-Monitoring System aimed to monitor livelihoods and food security, comparing results with earlier rounds to track trends and changes.
In this latest round of the survey, several key challenges and needs among rural households were identified. Despite stable planting areas, smallholders and displaced populations reduced cultivation of staples like rice and maize. The kharif harvest generally improved, but challenges such as poor yields due to poverty and water access persisted. Livestock management faced issues with feed procurement and veterinary services, impacting producers differently across markets.
Food insecurity affected 35% of households, with Balochistan showing the highest prevalence of poor dietary diversity. Female-headed households, IDPs, and those reliant on non-agricultural incomes faced severe food insecurity, necessitating targeted interventions. Immediate recommendations include cash and voucher programs to enhance food access, while long-term strategies advocate for sustainable agriculture, improved water management, and diversified livelihoods to bolster resilience against future shocks.
To address these issues in the short term, implementing cash and voucher assistance programs for households experiencing moderate or severe food insecurity is crucial to improve their access to healthy and nutritious food. Addressing access barriers to essential agricultural inputs such as seeds, fertilizer, and veterinary services will help mitigate production difficulties. Providing targeted training programs to enhance agricultural knowledge and skills among farmers, focusing on effective crop and livestock management practices, is also recommended. Establishing emergency support mechanisms to assist livestock producers in managing distress sales and mitigating losses during economic shocks is essential.
In the long term, developing sustainable agricultural practices to enhance resilience against recurring shocks, including floods and economic downturns, is vital. Investing in infrastructure development for improved water management, reducing water scarcity, and enhancing agricultural productivity is necessary. Strengthening market linkages and value chains to provide farmers with better access to markets, thereby improving income opportunities and reducing vulnerability, should be prioritized. Promoting diversified livelihood strategies to reduce dependence on agriculture and enhance household resilience to shocks is recommended. Establishing comprehensive social protection programs targeting vulnerable households will provide long-term support and resilience-building measures.
These key findings and recommendations provide a roadmap for addressing immediate needs and building long-term resilience among rural households in Pakistan, particularly in the provinces of Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Sindh.