Report on Seminars/Rallies at Multan and Hyderabad & IFSN Meeting At Cambodia and Research Study on Food Crises in Pakistan

Prepared by

Abdul Rasheed SAAG Secretary

Contents of the Report1. Introduction

2. BT Cotton Activity/Seminar at Hyderabad

2.1 Demonstrations & Presentations

2.2 Media Coverage for Seminar at Hyderabad

3. Bt Cotton Activity/Seminar at Multan

3.1. Multan Seminar Projected by Media

4. IFSN Meeting in Cambodia & Presentation of SAAG Progress report

4.1 Agenda of the meeting

4.2 Presentation of Country Progresses report 2010 & Plan 2011

4.3 SAAG Progress Report 2010 & Plan 2011

4.4 Outcomes of IFSN meeting At Cambodia

4.5 CFS and FAO regional Meeting at South Korea

4.6 Formation of Asian Food Security Network (AFSN)

5. Financial report of IFSN Meeting in Cambodia

6. Research on Food crises in Pakistan

7. Combined Financial report of BT cotton Seminars, Research Study towards Food Crises.

1. Introduction.

Sustainable Agriculture Action Group (SAAG) is the loose network of various like

minded organizations working for the wellbeing of small farmers because small farmer

group is most vulnerable segment which is not be able to defend its rights regarding

food issues in Pakistan, in spite of producing large amount of food items. This poor

group is exploited by the different interest group on national as well as international

level like WTO and Mosanto which has hijacked the top policy makers working in

agriculture sectors in Pakistan. Consequences of the present policies have made the

country unsecured regarding food. SAAG is working as an advocate for that poor

community of small farmers. SAAG was formed to not only support small farmers but

also forced Government for adopting the policies which are in the best interest of

Agriculture and Small farmers. Currently SAAG is working on two levels: Policy Level

and Grass Root level. At policy level, SAAG negotiate the Government Official and

Politicians and realize them to develop the policies in best interest of farmers and also

put their efforts for stopping those policies which are affecting negatively the Agriculture

sector of Pakistan. That is why, on the two different locations, SAAG has organized

rallies and seminars with the collaboration of its member organizations Sawera

Foundation, Shah Sachal Sami welfare Associations in Hyaderabad and Multan

respectively. Both the activities funded by ActionAid Pakistan.

2. BT Cotton Activity/Seminar in Hyderabad

Sustainable Agriculture Action Group organized in collaboration with its member

organizations shah sachal Sámi welfare association and this seminar was funded by

ActionAid Pakistan titled “Impacts of BT-Cotton over small growers, farmers and

environment”, held on July 12, 2010 at Hyderabad, central city of Sindh. A rally and

protest was followed by the seminar in front of the press club Hyderabad, 400 hundred

participants including Students, Peasants, Small farmer and growers, Workers,

Journalists, Lawyers, Political Activists, Civil Society, and Common Citizens of the

province actively participated in the activities. Seminar from the five various districts and

during the period there were speeches made by the speakers who are experts of

agriculture, water and cotton research and growing. Basically, there were many

speakers having intentions to talk about the impacts of BT in Pakistan but the following

some tantamount presentations are reported.

2.1 Demonstrations & Presentations in the Seminar Mr. Fayaza Khaskhaeli is the manger of Shah Sachal Sami and social activists said that

BT is damaging the environment and health presenting that almost 99 % growers,

small farmers and peasant community are unaware regarding the BT impacts

researched by ActionAid Pakistan. He was intensely criticizing the government of

Pakistan having no explicit stance about BT cotton which resulted continues conflicts

among civil society organizations, growers and Government. In his speech Fayaz

informed the peasant community and small farmers that there are some vested inters of

a few companies selling BT cotton illegally. He stressing and focusing that we i.e social

activists and poor growers should be much careful regarding obnoxious act of the black

mailing national and international individuals as well as groups. He regretting that it was

the core responsibility of our political leadership to identify that materialistic interest

group which is working against the welfare agricultural policies in our country. In his

concluding remarks, he requested civil society organizations to continue its struggles

until BT would banned. The second speaker was from SAP Pakistan who is the view in

the fowling paragraph.

Ms Shahnaz Sheedi She repeatedly emphasized in her speech that awareness and mobilization meetings about impacts of BT should be organized in rural areas and villages so that most of our farmer community can be actuated about the consequences of BT. She said that our rural community is directly engaged with Agriculture is completely unaware about this poisonous seed, thus I suggest more workshops and sessions should be conducted at village level in across Sindh. She said that when I visited areas of District Badin, I saw cotton crop there and I became surprised as in the past I had never seed cotton there, only rice, wheat, and sugar cane are some frequent crops there, but when I investigated then people told me that there is a new variety of seed which is imported from foreign countries, now cotton crop is being cultivated and that Seed is BT. Further, she mentioned the farmers community that is ignorant about the negative impacts of that BT cotton. She said that our rulers are blind, deaf and dumb who wants the only destruction of our peoples.

Mr Mohram Ali Qambrani (ARO Cotton Research Centre Tandojaam) demonstrated that the present crowd is deciding about the future of 17 million peoples of this country as

today we are talking about the agriculture, the sector which has had been neglected since decades in spite of back bone this country. It has the long history with such conspiracies to damage that back bone furiously by introducing unauthorized, unstudied and illegal type of fertilizers, pesticides and genetically modified crops into our agriculture. Thus our agriculture is now struggling into massive kind of troubles and destroyers, in which impact on our fertile land is a clear example of such destruction. He mentioned that even today in our villages our common peoples term fertilizers with typical word in Sindhi as “Color” which represents a destructive poison in shape of soil of the land. While scientific research and studies has proven that improper and waste usage of fertilizers adheres negative impacts on land, environment, and human and animals health. Like that such impacts of pesticides are hundred times multiplied that of fertilizers and similarly seeds which or genetically modified and injected with poisonous elements has enormously ruin the bio-safety and natural stability in agriculture. Likewise BT which is the name of bacteria having poison in its composition was injected in the seed of cotton and then a genetically modified seed has been created by the Monsanto company in America first time and latter, process was repeated in other countries without any accent and permission of agriculture institutes throughout the world. He demanded from the government that responsible studies and researches about impacts of BT cotton must be initiated and till the exact figure and facts about the BT crop come government should Ban over its selling and soiling is apparently BT is criticized in various countries like India and US. He said that in our country the only one side is quantifiably publicized which is increase in the yield but its impacts are ignored in its publicity, marketing and selling. He said that Sindh Seed Corporation can play an important role in this regard, and reveal genuine faults in the imported and genetically modified so that we can save our agriculture, source of survival, our land, water, environment and precious health.

Mr Ismail Kumbhar (Professor Sindh Agriculture University Tandojaam) said that being part of Agriculture University , which is one of the biggest academy of agriculture in the Asia, I am much grateful and giving my applauds to the organizers of this event on an important issue in the agriculture, specially thanks to Actionaid , Sustainable Agriculture Action Group (SAAG) and Shah Sachal sami (SSS) their collaboration provided a chance for all of us to interact with each other and share the knowledge and information which is core part of advocating any issue. He said that sharing and exchanging of accurate and exact knowledge has always remained a key challenge and it has directly linked to the destruction and development of the human beings. He quoted activity of seminar as best mobilization tool to aware peasants, farmers, women, small growers, students, civil society, political and social activists and professionals about the mishap with our agriculture in shape of introducing genetically modified seeds and crops in our agriculture. He said that BT is that worst example of GM seeds, which is a product by a black listed company of US, the Monsanto. He said that BT is more

dangerous and vicious for not only cotton crop but it seriously affects adjacent and alternate crops. It is just a rumor that BT increase yield 50% , but the reality is that it only increase 15% yield as compared to other seeds, while the input cost, human work and water consumption is 30% (cumulative) more than other seeds and species. He iterated that losses, negative implications and damages of BT are extra features of the so called popular cotton seed. He exampled one of the impact of BT cotton that after the process of separating the cotton from seeds, it’s by product which we call “Kharr” in Sindhi, and used as food for livestock, that causes disease to the livestock as it contains poisonous elements. He said that almost 70% of our cotton is used into clothes, thus those clothes are not suitable to wear and may cause skin diseases. He immediately demanded form the government that there must be high professional institutes should be established which conduct scientific research, studies, survey and all pros and cons of GM seeds such as BT. He urged to the growers that they should cultivate natural and bio-safe seeds which are preserved by their self.

Mr Shoaib Aziz (ActionAid Pakistan) said that ActionAid Pakistan is continuously engaged for promoting bio-diverse natural agriculture in Pakistan, which not only ensure food security to about 180 million peoples of the country but empower the small scale farmers, and growers. He said that for sustainable agriculture it is essential that we should protect our agriculture against all such wrongs which become cause to destroy the natural cultivation and fertility of our land. He claimed that BT-cotton is introduced only to destroy our agriculture, land, environment; health and natural resources, there are stacks of international hawks that want billions of dollars and devastate natural sustainability of our agriculture. He said that ActionAid has done its research and study about the impacts of BT, and most probably it will be published in the coming month in a booklet and will be delivered to all of you. Mr Shoaib quoted an example of neighbor country India which is one of the biggest agriculture and cotton producing country of the world, there he said a case has be lodged in Indian Supreme court against BT-cotton by small growers, along with that petition the organization of small farmers and growers urged to all growers that they should not cultivate BT in their fields. Mr Shoaib also shared that ActionAid Pakistan has developed a video documentary film containing the consequences of BT on land, environment, animals and humans and agriculture of India and struggle of their peasants, small growers and civil society to abandon the cultivation of BT-cotton in India. He said that I request to friends of SSS that they must arrange such theater in which we can share that documentary video with you peoples, and then I hope all of us will have better understanding and idea about the politics behind BT-cotton. He urged that two things should be clear that in near future particularly Sindh will undergo into crucial conditions regarding food insecurity and then water unavailability will also be the great challenge to peoples of Sindh. Thus crop like BT-cotton not only damage and destroy the environment and health but will exponentially enhance the water shortage and food insecurity. Mr Shoaib declared that a similar type of

demonstration, protest and gathering will be organized at Multan the central city of Southern Punjab, which is also heavily affected with BT disease like Sindh.

Mr Nazir Memon (Renowned Water Expert and Agriculturalist) said that BT-cotton was invented in 1996 at United States, after that BT-cotton was produced in China, Australia and European countries. In the year of 2000, an Australian company invited a group of known Sindh cotton growers to Australia where they visited fields where the BT-cotton was cultivated, that company briefed visitors about the increase in produce and its effectiveness against various pests. Mr Memon said that company did not disclosed demerits and negative effects of that seed, thus our growers group including Mir Amaanullah Talpur had brought this BT-cotton first time in Sindh and till now 70% cotton cultivated in Sindh is BT. The main reason behind this is the only unidirectional propaganda and publicity, whereas in our country our agriculture sector is most neglected sector thus illegal imported seeds like BT are being cultivated rapidly without any research study which define the ground impacts. He said that first of all Sindh government should make a regulatory body for all of the imported seeds and pesticides, that body comprised with technically sound professionals , who have right to approve or disapprove any product of the foreign country or local products. He mentioned that Pakistan government has officially registered six varieties of the BT till now, instead of huge cry from the civil society organization working on agriculture, not only this but Punjab Seed Corporation and Sindh Seed Corporation are selling varieties of BT, but there is no anybody to ask about.

Mr, Hussain Bux Mallah (Senior Scientific Officer Agriculture Training Institute Sakrand ) said that first of all seed of BT-cotton was illegally brought here in this country without

any officially approved procedure adopted thus it raises uncertainties and ambiguities

about the product. I must say that it is confirmed that plant of BT is toxic and definitely it

harms every related phenomena, however it is still not predicted that how much it harms

and what extent it is dangerous for land, human, animals and environment. I

recommend our growers that they should cultivate various local certified varieties of

cotton, so that average increase in yield can be maintained. Mr Mallah also shared that

it is observed that on BT crop attack of mill bug and Jassid (Saaoo Mahlo) is exceeding

and just to protect BT crop against Jassid, a grower use about 6 sprays of various

pesticides that is again harmful for the land and environment. He claimed that during

last five years the rapid increase in Jassid (Sucking Pest) in Sindh is due to BT crops.

Mr Lala Arshad (Executive Director Shah Sachal Sami) said that since couple of years SSS is engaged and focused agriculture sector as some gross root studies and surveys defines that our agriculture is dumped into countless problems causing majority of our

peoples affected with poverty and backwardness, and their livelihood is under threat. SSS has organized number of events to highlight several issues behind agriculture and promote bio-diverse agriculture thus to mobilize small scale growers, farmers and peasants as their awareness and agitation can play a key role to protect agriculture and promote sustainable agriculture. The huge and active participation of our small growers, farmers and peasants, and women came from rural areas of the province proved that we are in progress and this is our common objective. He said that SSS along with ActionAid and SAAG is committed for bio-safe methods of agriculture which are secure for our farmers and environment on the whole. Through this forum we raise strong demand from the Sindh and Federal government that they must immediately respond and ban upon the selling and cultivation of the BT-cotton.

2.2 Media Coverage As for as its media coverage is concerned, both electronic and print media has project this one day seminar as 8- News Channels, 2- FM Radio, 13- News Papers covered the activity arranged by the civil society organization.

Electronic Media

News was flashed by ARY News (Urdu) News was flashed by Dhoom News (Urdu) News was flashed by Din News (Urdu ) News was flashed by KTN News ( Sindhi) News was flashed by Awaz News (Sindhi) News was flashed by Sindh tv News ( Sindhi) News was flashed by Mehran tv News (Sindhi) News was flashed by Dharti tv News (Sindhi)

Print Media

Daily The Nation ( English) Daily Regional Times (English) Daily AajKal Karachi ( Urdu) Daily Express Karachi (Urdu) Daily Umat Karachi (Urdu) Daily Ryasat Karachi (Urdu) Daily Masaawat Karachi (Urdu) Daily Awami Awaz Karachi (Sindhi) Daily Ibrat Hyderabad ( Sindhi) Daily Sindh Hyderabad (Sindhi) Daily Prih Karachi ( Sindhi ) Daily Apeal Karachi (Sindhi) Daily Shaam Hyderabad (Sindhi)

3. Bt Cotton Activity/Seminar in Multan

This Seminar was this seminar was organized by Sawera Foundation and Lok Sanjh

Foundation from the platform of SAAG. Hundreds of Small farmer, men and women

were present at the seminar. Male and female farmers from Multan, Lodhran, Fort

Abbas, Toba Tek Singh, Bahawalpur and Bahawalnager attended the seminar.

Members of Civil Society and Doctors, Teachers and Advocates were also present the

seminar. A larger number of Print and electronic media personnel were also present

and Seminar and rally after the seminar was fully covered by the print and electronic

media. This seminar was addressed by Mr. Tariq Mehmood (President: Sawera

Foundation & Pakistan Kissan Ittehad), Mr. Asim Yasin (Program Director: Lok Sanjh),

Muhammad Ramzan (Farmer from Toba Tek Singh) & Ijaz Imran (Farmer from Toba

Tek Singh).

3.1. Demonstrational & Presentations

Mr. Tariq further said that Pakistan is an Agricultural country and 70 % people are

directly related to agriculture but Government of Pakistan does not take a look at these

farmers for their betterment. He said that this is not only a criminal negligence but also a

part of process of giving protection of rights of Agricultural barrens and land lords. India

had got rid of these land lords and argi-barrens but in Pakistan, these are a few people,

who hold huge chunks of agricultural lands are not only in Government but also in

Bureaucracy. These two factors are not aware of the problems of Agriculture and Small

Farmers. They produce the policies which safeguard the big land lords and no one was

there to protect the rights of Small Farmers. This was very alarming situation because

these small farmers are back bone of economy of Pakistan and small farmer who is

adding value to the GDP of Pakistan has no comfortable life and every passing day

increases his worries. The Seminar which we have organized today is a part of grass

root campaign of SAAG. Today, BT cotton is the one of the most deadly threat which is

costing much to small farmers and will be costing more in future.

Continuing his speech Mr. Tariq told that BT is a cause of many suffering of Small

Farmers today and Farmers are facing many problems because of BT now a day.

Today, organizing the seminar in Multan is because of the fact that it is heart of the

Southern Punjab and Southern Punjab produces 60 to 70 % of the total cotton of

Pakistan and Small farmers of this cotton belt were not aware of this threat of Bt cotton

then all of this cotton belt will be ruined. BT cotton has been cultivated in Southern

Punjab for last three or four years and results are very unsatisfactory and discouraging.

It is claimed that BT cotton can produce 60 to 70 mound of cotton per acre but claim

was not only proved to be false but also BT cotton crop requires more input like

Fertilizers, Pesticides and irrigation water. Despite of providing all of these inputs, per

acre yield of BT Cotton is not more then 15 mounds.

Cotton is a big cash crop in Pakistan and it not only supports economically small

farmers but also gives a support to Government. Export of Cotton, textile industry goods

export and jobs of many depend on this crop. But Multinational Corporations like

Monsanto are dumping the BT seeds in Pakistan and Farmers are forced to cultivate BT

cotton and per yield of cotton is consistently dropping with it. BT seed is genetically

poisoned and this poisoned seed produces poisoned cotton which not fit for use and its

plant adversely affect the environment. This plant also produces skin diseases and

causing very dangerous effects on human health. Poisoned plant produces Poisoned

cotton and poisoned seed. Its seed is pressed to get oil and this poisoned oil is used for

human use and residue of seeds after pressing is used to prepare animal food which is

used to give to those animals which give milk and because of the poisonous effects,

milk is also poisoned. This is a very alarming situation and requires being dealt with full

attention.

He further added that foreign scientists have produced BT Corn, BT Tomatoes and BT

Bringles along with BT cotton but foreign governments have not allowed the cultivation

of these BT seeds. But Government of Pakistan has not paying attention to these issues

and BT seeds are being cultivated despite of their adverse effects. Despite of banning

BT seed in Pakistan, Government has intention of Law Making about Seeds which will

protect the rights of those multinational companies which are dumping BT seeds in

Pakistan. After the enforcement of Seed laws, Farmers will not have right on their own

crop. They will not keep seed from their crop for next crop. They have to buy seed every

time from the companies and proof of buying seed will have to be kept until the crop is

harvested, otherwise, Multinationals will take away all the crop and farmers will be

accused of law breaking. This is denial of basic rights of farmers which the have from

the centuries and now they are being deprived of these rights.

He said that Organizations which are part of SAAG have concerns on this issues and

these organization are trying to save small farmers from these laws. During a research

conducted under Pakistan Kissan Ittehad , Sawera Foundation and ActionAid in India, it

was concluded that BT has destroyed the production of cotton crop of in India and

farmers of India were economically so depressed that they have no way except ending

their lives with their own hands. Effects on Environment and human and animal health

were also seen in their worst shape and Health Ministry of India was considering

banning BT cotton in India for sake of Human Health. Mr. Tariq Mehmood concluded his

speech that this BT Cotton is certainly not fit for our environment and health. It is

increasing the cost of production and yielding very low and farmers get nothing out of it.

So, he asked government through print and electronic media to ban BT cotton in

Pakistan and safe guard the rights of Small farmers and for making any policy, small

farmers must be protected.

Mr. Ijaz Imran said that he was a very small farmer and used to cultivate local genre of

cotton and used to get 20 mounds of cotton on average. But since, I started to cultivate

BT cotton; I am not satisfied with it. BT cotton is being dumped in markets and seed

dealer force small farmers with their false claims for cultivation of BT cotton. And

Situation is so serious that now local seeds are not available in markets and farmers

have to cultivate BT cotton. He told his fellow farmers that when I used to cultivate local

cotton seeds I have to water the cotton field after 21 days but BT cotton is demanding

water after every 8 days and in our region, water is not so frequently available. So I

have to water my fields with tube well and this increased my cost of production and I

could not get more then 20 mounds per acre.

Next year, I again have to cultivate BT cotton. Seed dealers have told me that this type

of cotton has resistance to many insects but I got an attack of Millibug on my crop and

some virus also attacked on the crop and situation was so serious that I have to destroy

my crop of cotton. This BT cotton has economically destroyed me and I have to suffer

from loss. He requested to the journalists to write about the dangerous effects of BT

cotton and spread awareness about this issue. Mr. Ijaz was a very much victim of BT

cotton and has suffered so much loss that he tore out his shirt and asked journalists to

show other what BT cotton has done with him.

Mr. Muhammad Ramzan is another farmers to share his experience of BT cotton with

other farmers and told fellow farmers that he is a small farmer and cultivate 7 acres of

his land. He cultivated 4 acres of BT cotton but the crop could not grow well and he had

to plough his field and all the cost he bears was gone in vain. He told the fellow farmers

that in his opinion, BT cotton is not fit for our lands and we could not get more yield from

it and on the other hand it is dangerous for human and animal health. He further said

that in our environment only those seeds can grow and yield more production, which

have been developed in the very environment and have adjusted their qualities

according to the conditions. That’s why; local seeds which I have cultivated have good

plants and will yield more cotton then any BT field. Ramzan again requested the fellow

farmers not to follow any one blindly and cultivate their own seeds because

Multinational Corporations have their only interest in profits and they do not have any

ethical values regarding it. So we must take our interest to the front and do not let any

one destroy our Agriculture on fake claims.

At this, Mr. Asim Yasin, Program director Lok Sanjh Foundation talked about BT Cotton.

He told the audience about the BT and told that this was named after bacteria which

were used to be prepared and sprayed on the crops by the farmers in foreign countries.

Multinational corporations took this idea and prepared seeds which have been modified

by the gene of this bacteria. This was not a successful modification and every seed was

not modified in a same way and in the results, seed growing rate was not more then

55% and it has negative effects on environment and human and animal health. That’s

why this seed was banned in foreign countries. Then multinational corporations

changed their direction towards third world countries and started dumping their seeds in

markets of third world countries. India and Pakistan was among countries which were

effected most of BT seeds.

He added in that after the proposed seed laws which farmers will not be able to have

rights on their own crops and they will not be able to produce better seed, barter their

seeds and get benefits from it. If they will do so, they will be charged according to laws.

This is fully deprivation of farmers from their rights and this is all manipulated by the

multinational companies. These multinational companies are promoting BT seeds for

their benefits and they have no sensitivity towards the farmers and agriculture of

Pakistan. This is very alarming situation and if we, farmers will not act against this

situation our agriculture and economy will be destroyed and our fertile lands will be

barren. So we must start acting now. He asked the audience if they will stand by in this

struggle. All the farmers raised their hands and said that they will do whatever it takes

for their better future because Agriculture and Cotton is every thing in Pakistan and if

Agriculture is destroyed that there will be left nothing behind.

At the end, Mr. Tairq Mehmood and Mr. Asim Yasin paid their gratitude to the

participants of seminar and rally and all the farmers and organization committed that

they will carry on their struggle against BT cotton until Government accepts their

demands.

3.2 Media CoverageThe follwing Print Media has projected one day Seminar/Rally in Multan organized by SAAG with its members Sawera Foundation and Lok Sanjh.

Daily Khabrain Multan Daily Nawa-i-Waqt Multan The Daily Pakistan Lahore Daily express Multan The Dail Jang Multan Daily Nyadaur Multan

4. IFSN Meeting in Cambodia & Presentation of SAAG Progress report

This meeting was conducted by international Food security Network at IFSN Kampong Cham Province, Cambodia on July, 22 to 24, 2010. I participated in that meeting as representative of SAAG. the detailed report is as follows. 4.1.Agenda of the meeting.

To form the regional network of 5 IFSN countries (Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Pakistan and Vietnam) from Asia.

To discuss the plan of 2011 and progress of work for 2010To devise engagement strategies on CFS in the FAO regional meeting in South Korea in 27 September -1 October, 2010

4.2 Presentation of Country Progresses report 2010 & Plan 2011According to the agenda of the meeting, it was to present progress reports regarding

IFSN activities which were carried out in the 2010. Firstly, Ms.Farhat jahan presented

the progress report as well as plan of 2011 regarding IFSN project from ActionAid

Bangladesh. Secondly, Mrs.Nguyen Thi Hong Ha from CIFPEH Vietnam (IFSN Steering

Committee) who presented the activities which were carried in 2010 and also briefed

the plan of 2011. Thirdly, Ms.Sen Kimtheng from ActionAid Cambodia (Food rights

Focal person), elucidated the performance report of ActionAid Cambodia regarding

IFSN projects. Fourth presentation was of SAAG which presented by Mr.Abdul Rasheed

from SAAG Pakistan (Secretary). Lastly, Mr.Marinal Gohain from ActionAid India

(Regional Manger) conveyed to the participants regarding progress report of ActionAid

India.

4.3 SAAG Progress Report 2010 & Plan 2011 SAAG is a loose network of 26 local, national and international organizations and the

partner organizations have the same manifesto to work on the policy issues on Food

security in Pakistan. It is funded by ActionAid Pakistan and due to the some other

official engagements of focal persons form SAAG Members, the general body was held

at 6th of may 2010 in which SAAG activities were decided for the year 2010. In the last

general body meeting of SAAG, the following activities were defined to be carried out

and presented in the Cambodia Meeting.

Analysis of food crisis and its impact on Food security and farmers community.

Campaign against genetically modified crops and its adverse impact on health,

environment soil, livestock and livelihood.

4.4. Outcomes of the Meeting at Cambodia

The participants conceded to agreed on the following major decisions regarding IFSN

Project l funded by the European Commission

4.5 CFS and FAO regional Meeting at South Korea Among the participants, it was built a consensus that Food and Agriculture governance

(participation of small holder’s producers and consumers) is the prime issue which

should be center of debate in The FAO regional meeting in Korea. The focal persons

from each country (Pakistan,Cambodia, India, Bangladesh and Vietnam) would be

prepare set of questions regarding food and agriculture governance and these

questions will sent to the regional coordinator(Farhat Jahan who was elected as RC in

the meeting). RC would prepare questionnaire and would collect the response of that

questionnaire from the focal persons of each country. After studying the answers, RC

would produce comprehensive paper that would be sent to the Manger IFS

(Mr.shahidur Rahman) for getting approval. After approval it would be distributed to

participants of FAO meeting till 12 September 2010 and meeting would be held on 27

September to 1 October 2010.

4.6 Formation of Asian Food Security Network (AFSN)

The formation process of AFSN was discussed in the meeting but it was agreed unanimously on the regional network named as AFSN. Bangladesh offered to host the secretariat of Asian Food Security network and participants agreed and conceded to be hosted by Bangladesh initially for two years. It was also decided that there would be recruited a coordinator to manage the AFSN as whole.

5. Financial Report of IFSN Meeting at Cambodia

I have received from (ActionAid Cambodia) the total amount of ($138x Rs 85.50) Rs.11800 as per diems for the attendance of the (Asia IFSN Regional Meeting), Cambodia and the expenses of the visit are as under.

Air ticket Rs. 74500

Taxi from Bara Kaho to Islamabad Airport Rs.350

Taxi from Islamabad Airport to Bara Kahoo Rs.450

Per diems received by the participant in Cambodia from IFSN Logistic support

$ 138 x 85.50

Rs.11800

Luggage Services Charges at Cambodia Airport

$ 25x Rs 85.50

Rs.2137

Total expenses Rs. 89237

6. Food Security among Crises Pakistan’s scene and possible way out

As according to the steering body decision, this research was given to Khadim Hussain the Individual member of SAAG, the consultant has completed and submitted his research report in

time. This research report contains food security and its related concepts, food sovereignty

right to Food, issues and crises facing food security, Food Safety and GMOs, Commodification, Commodity Pricing and Financial Control over Food Security, Country Specific Issues and Pakistan, Crises—Lack of Stability, Pakistan’s situation, Food

Production, Inflation, Incomes and Expenditure on Food, Impact of WTO and Trade Liberalization on Food Security, Crises Facing Pakistan, SAAG terms current food crisis

man-made and un-necessary and Floods, Emergencies, Energy and Terrorism.

7. Combined Financial Report of BT Cotton Seminars, Cambodia Meeting Participation Expenses, and Research Study towards Food Crises.

Sr.No. Name of Activity/ Organization

Allocated Budget in Rs

Expenses in Rs

1 Bt Cotton Seminar and Rally in Sindh & Punjab

719500 719500

2 Research Study on food Crices (Khadim Hussain individual consultant )

220000 200000

3. IFSN Cambodia Meeting Expenses

89237

4 Total expenses 1008737