Speakers at a seminar lament increasing dependency on ‘market products’ in Gilgit – Baltistan

Farman Karim Baig

Gilgit, October 23: Increasing dependency on market products has weakened the society in Gilgit – Baltistan. The hard working people are gradually forgetting their traditions and becoming dependent on vulnerable sources of food supply.

These views were expressed by speakers at a seminar titled, “Potential Food Insecurity in Gilgit – Baltistan and Our Responsibilities”. The speakers also said that instead of increasing productivity of local agricultural products, the focus of government has been on increasing supplies from lower parts of the country.

One of the chief reasons for food insecurity in Gilgit – Baltistan was identified as rapid population growth. “If we can control the population growth rate, the catastrophe can be averted”, said the chief guest, Abdul Waheed, a former bureaucrat.

The speakers also criticized the agriculture department of Gilgit – Baltistan for not doing enough to produce newer varieties of crops in the region. Many speakers said that barren lands should be made cultivable to increase the livelihood means and agricultural products for the growing population.