J. Environ. Agric.

, 1(1): 74-78; 2016

ORIGINAL ARTICLE
ISSN (Print): 2517-9675

POTENTIAL OF HORTICULTURAL CROPS TO ENSURE FOOD SECURITY IN PAKISTAN

Saba Hameed1 Muhammad Azher Nawaz*1, 2 Waqar Ahmed3 Amber Shehzadi2 Fiaz Hussain2 Nigarish Munir4
Muhammad Nawaz Khan5 Faisal Hayat6
AUTHORS AFFILIATION

ABSTRACT

1College

Background The concept of food security is prevalent wherever there is

sufficient availability and public access to hygienic and nutritious food to
fulfill the nutritional requirement of the population, facilitating active and
vigorous lifestyle. In developing countries like Pakistan, food security is an
important concern to feed the ever increasing population. The current
population of the country is more than 180 million, with an annual growth rate
of three percent, so the food requirement is ever increasing. Food security
analysis (FSA) of Pakistan shows an alarming situation that the residents of
56 districts have extremely food concerns. The staple food of Pakistan comes
from cereals, especially wheat; but at the same time the importance of
horticultural crops like fruits and particularly vegetables cannot be denied to
ensure food security and to overcome malnutrition problems. Currently, only
six percent of total cultivated area (22 million hectare) is utilized for
horticultural crops, and it need to be increased. Horticultural crops, like
vegetables are considered a cheaper source of natural supplementary food.
Moreover, fruits and vegetables are rich source of carbohydrates, proteins,
vitamins (A, C, E, K), minerals (Ca, Mg, K, Na, Fe), fats, dietary fiber and
water, so they can be used to ensure daily dietary needs, food security and to
overcome malnutrition issues.
Conclusion It is concluded that the nutritional importance, high yield
potential, short duration crop cycle, diversity in crops and varieties, suitability
to protected cultivation system, home gardening, urban agriculture and
vertical farming makes the vegetables cultivation a powerful tool to ensure
food security, to improve the environmental conditions and at the same time
these can also be exploited to uplift the economic status of small farmers.

of Horticulture and
Forestry Sciences, Huazhong
Agricultural University, Wuhan,
430070, PR China
2University College of Agriculture,
University of Sargodha, Sargodha,
Pakistan
3Sector Advisor Horticulture,
USAID, Lahore, Pakistan
4College of Horticulture, Fujian
Agriculture and Forestry University,
China
5Citrus Research Institute,
Sargodha, Pakistan
6Department of Pomology, College
of Agronomy and Biotechnology,
China Agriculture University,
Bejing, China
*Corresponding authors e-mail:
[email protected]
Key words:
Food security, malnutrition,
horticultural crops, urban
agriculture, protected cultivation

country possesses the 6th largest population in the

world, with current population of more than 180
million, with an annual growth rate of three percent.
Resultantly, food requirements are ever increasing
(World Population Prospect 2015). According to
World Food Programe more than 48 percent of total
population is food insecure. FATA observes the
greatest volume of food insecurity (67.7 percent)
closely followed by Baluchistan and Khyber
Pakhtunkhwa, exhibiting 61.2 and 56.2 percent,
respectively (Abid et al. 2009). Integrated Food
Security Phase Classification (IPC) assessment
conducted during October-December 2014 discovered
severe food insecurity in 10 districts, warranting
emergency initiatives, while 28

INTRODUCTION
Food security is frequently elucidated in term of food
availability but its four basic parts are food
availability, access, utilization and stability. Food
security is the condition when the entire population
possesses continuous economic, social and physical
access to adequate, nutritious and hygienic food which
fulfills their nutritional requirements to facilitate an
active lifestyle. Development and poverty elevation
can occur by ensuring sufficient security of food over
the entire demographic spectrums; individual,
household, national, regional and global levels (World
Food Summit 1996). In developing countries like
Pakistan, food security is an important concern. The

Cite As: Hameed S, MA Nawaz, W Ahmed, A Shehzadi, F Hussain, N Munir, MN Khan, F Hayat (2016) Potential of horticultural
crops to ensure food security in Pakistan. J. Environ. Agric., 1(1): 74-79.

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http://www.jea.com.pk

Hameed et al. (2016)

other districts exhibited crises-level food insecurity.

The drought situation observed in the Thar region of
Sindh has also exhibited substantial food insecurity.
Similarly, food security analysis (FSA) of Pakistan
shows an alarming situation that the residents of 56
districts have extremely low access to food. Most
affected districts in Sindh: Tharparkar, Dadu,
Jamshoro, Sanghar, Umerkot, Badin, Kashmore; in
FATA: Mohmand Agency, Khyber Agency, FR, DI
Khan, FR Tank, South Waziristan Agency, North
Waziristan Agency, Orakzai Agency, FR Kohat; in
Balochistan: Musakhel, Kohlu, Kacchi, Kalat, Nushki,
Kharan, Washuk, Panjgur, Awaran, Lasbella,
Jaffarabad Chaghai and Dera Bugti; in Khyber
Pakhtunkhwa: Kohistan, Hangu, Tank Tor Ghar; in
Azad Jammu and Kashmir: Neelum, Haveli, Sudhnoti
and in Gilgit Baltistan Ghanche and Astore (Pakistan
Food Security Bulletin 2015).
In Pakistan, wheat is a staple food. It alone
constitutes nearly 50% of the nutritional consumption
of most households. In 2015, wheat production was
25.6 million tons (MT) which less than its demands
(Pakistan Food Security Bulletin 2015). Food uptake
for dietary energy of a person can be known by
classifying foodstuff in 10 groups; wheat and its flour,
rice, pulses, various cereals, vegetables and fruits,
milk and products derived from milk, inclusive of
butter and desi ghee, meat (beef, mutton, fish and
poultry), edible oil, sugars and different sweeteners
and miscellaneous food items (tea, condiments and
spices, etc.).
WHO recommended dietary energy is 2350
calories per capita per day for adult while in Pakistan
it is 2100 cal per capita per day (FCTP 2001). Wheat
is used as main source of dietary energy while fruit and
vegetable consumption is very low. Daily per capital
intake of fruit and vegetable is 100 grams while WHO
recommendation is 400 grams per capita per day
(WHO/FAO 2003). Currently, the nutritional intake of
Pakistani diet is poorly balanced. Primarily, the diet is
constituted by cereals. The average Pakistan consumes
roughly 375g cereals, supplemented by a mere 100g of
vegetables and fruits on daily basis. It has been
suggested by nutritionists to maintain uptake of
minimum 150 grams of root vegetables and minimum
200 grams of leaf-based vegetables for effective
nourishment (FAO 1998). Therefore, to enhance our
nutrition, we must increase vegetables and fruits
consumption.
Poor vegetable and fruit intake causes many
nutritional deficiencies like vitamin A, zinc and iron
deficiencies, leading to higher prevalence of anemia
especially in women and children. It leads to a
situation called malnutrition, which translate to
insufficient nutritional consumption, triggered
through insufficient food consumption, consumption

of unhygienic or non-diverse foods (FAO 2004).

Pakistan has been observed to have high malnutrition.
Almost a quarter of the population in this low income,
and largely populated nation has insufficient means to
fulfill daily nutritional quotas (2,350 calories per day)
of an individual. Malnutrition is considered amongst
the leading cause for under-five mortality (137 for
1000 births) through accounting for over 35% of those
fatalities (United Nation Childrens Fund 2012).
Malnutrition among women is over 47%. Women
facing malnutrition are at higher risk of delivering
underweight or anemic children (infants weighing
lesser than 2.5 kg), these children have substantially
(five times) increased vulnerability to fatal diseases
and conditions within the first five years of life, and
subsequently greater vulnerability to experiencing
growth retardation. In Pakistan 33.3% children are
underweight and 46.3 % have stunted growth, so child
malnutrition result in child mortality and disability.
Sindh has reported the greater number of children with
malnutrition (under five year of age) (National
Nutritional Survey 2011).
There are several reasons of malnutrition, during
which the intake of nutritional food is insufficient
(particularly fruits and vegetables). The mean caloric
intake is lesser than the suggested volumes of 2,350
and uneven in regards to the intake of micro-nutrients.
Wheat counts amongst the primary caloric source
contain carbohydrate and fiber. Fruits and vegetables
are good source of micro nutrients so they should be
used more in daily diet. Poverty and insufficient
resources over the household level to sustain the
minimal daily intake of necessary consumption of
nutrition and insufficient public knowledge regarding
adequate diet and sustaining decent health are the
possible reasons (Pakistan Rural Household Panel
Survey 2014).
Horticultural crops constitute a fundamental
section of a recommendable diet but their less use in
daily diet may be due to less production in the country
while vegetables are the sustainable solution for a
diverse and balanced diet. At present, more than 70%
of the population is somehow directly or indirectly
involved with the agriculture industry over an area of
22 million hectares. Out of total cultivated area in
Pakistan only 6% is under horticultural crops, 3.5%
fruits, 2.0% vegetables and 0.5% ornamental plants.
Out of the total area planted to vegetables; 17% is
under potatoes, 15% under chilies, 12% under onions
and rest of area under 30 different kinds of vegetables.
Increased pressure on cash crops (wheat, rice, maize,
sugarcane and cotton) has limited the area under
vegetable. It is about 6 million ha which is 3.1% of
total cropped area under cultivation. Most of farmers
are small land holder, less than five ha. The number of
these small farms has increased three fold since 1960,
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J. Environ. Agric., 1(1): 74-78; 2016

and small farms have limited diversification in

agricultural crops (Agricultural Census of Pakistan
2010; Figure 1).

purpose towards the food front, given that they are the
most inexpensive source of wholesome food, and
therefore exhibit the potential to fulfill the food
demand of Pakistan. Taking the fertility of Pakistani
soil into account, farmers are permitted to grow
substantial volume of products throughout the year,
allowing them to raise sufficient product sold at
attractive prices, therefore allowing them maintain
themselves financially. It takes little time to grow
sufficient volume of vegetables and can be utilized as
intercrops. The soil fertility will also be enhanced
through the growth of vegetables; moreover, the
grown produce will also provide feed for farm
animals. Therefore, farmers are made available with a
wide assortment of possible crops to grow, allowing
them to adjust to different crops according to the
demand. The soil and natural climate of Pakistan is
attractive for the development of agriculture industry,
facilitating the growth of a diverse range of crops.
Given that vegetable cultivation requires considerable
labor, beginning from initial sowing to harvesting and
marketing, it acts as a consistent source of
employment, especially in the rural regions. The yields
of vegetables are higher compared to cereal and
other agronomic crops. Generally, vegetables
provide five to ten times more produce compared to
cereals, while also growing over a quick basis, with
lucrative returns and sustainability of growth. Thus, it
is safe to suggest that vegetable cultivation should be
increased (Adel 2001).
In home or kitchen gardening, vegetables, fruits
and herbs are extensively cultivated for domestic use,
whereas some larger plots are utilized for the
production of a wide assortment of vegetables based
on the season. Local produce, for example, broad leaf
mustard, radish, pumpkins, chili and beans can be
grown inside any household for facilitating fresh and
nutritious vegetables for use in homes, sparing the
owners from purchasing these products from the
markets. Gardens can be used for throwing organic
waste, allowing the soil to become more fertile and
nutritious. It is also possible to utilize the unused space
around the household for the production of vegetables.
The primary objective of this sort of farming is to yield
fresh crops to the household on daily basis, facilitating
the mitigation of malnutrition (Farooq 2015).
Similarly, urban regions have little space for the
growth of vegetables; however, roof and terraces can
facilitate the growth of product through small and
large crop pots. Vegetable forcing is another unique
procedure of growing vegetable inside urban
structures, cellars, greenhouses, cold farms and other
simulated settings. It is considered to be amongst the
most intensive form of vegetable cultivation. These
procedures provide

Dietary importance of horticultural crops

Horticultural crops (fruits and vegetables) yield
colorful, flavored, diverse, low caloric, tasty and
nutritionally-rich nourishment. Vegetables are the
most inexpensive and effective vitamin sources. The
vegetable-based foods enhance appetite; have great
taste, high vitamins and dietary fiber contents, which
results in enhanced digestion (Sandeep et al. 2013).
A fundamental role is fulfilled by vegetables
regarding the neutralization of acids developed during
the processing of fatty foods, and yields considerable
roughages that facilitate transition of food through the
intestines. Vegetables are excellent carbohydrate
sources (potato, garlic, onion, fenugreek and
leguminous vegetables), proteins (garlic, beans, peas
and leafy vegetables), vitamin A (leafy vegetables,
tomato, and carrot), vitamin B (tomato, garlic and
peas), Vitamin C (radish leaves, leafy vegetables, cole
crops, drumstick leaves and green chilies), minerals
(drumstick pods and leafy vegetables). Moreover, a
large number of vegetable crops possess substantial
medicinal value for their capability to aid in the
mitigation of certain diseases. For example, onion and
garlic have been discovered to possess antibacterial
characteristics.
Several
cucurbitaceous
and
solanaceous vegetables have also been discovered to
hold vitamin D reserves (FAO/WHO 2004).
Table1 Pakistans food basket based on 2100 calories
Food items
Wheat(Flour)
Rice
Other Cereals
Pulses
Meat Products
Dairy Products
Fats
Sugar
Fruits and Vegetables

Quantity (grams)
300
60
15
30
40
150
30
50
100

Source: Food Consumption Table for Pakistan (2001)

Horticultural crops and food security

Although food production is increasing to some
extent. It is necessary to maintain enhanced production
alongside the nutritional standard of people. The
standard can be improved through increasing
vegetable production that will yield considerable
support in mitigated food issues given that vegetable
crops provide 4 to 10 times more product compared to
cereals. Therefore, vegetables fulfill a considerable

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Hameed et al. (2016)

Percent share in total farm area

80
1990

2010

70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0

Agricultural crops
Figure 1 Limited diversification in crops on farm less than five hectares
Source: Agriculture Census of Pakistan (1990-2010)

increased yields, especially for products that grow

quickly and inside small containers (Padmanabhan
and Sreedaya 2004).
Vertical farming is a major constituent of the
urban agriculture field, the process of cultivating
vegetables over vertical surfaces, containers or
integration with other structures. Controlled
environment agriculture technology is used
extensively by this modern farming incarnation, under
which all necessary environmental characteristics can
be directly administered. The facilities make use of
computer controlled lighting, climate administration
(gas volumes, temperature, and humidity) fertigation.
A few of these farms utilizes procedures identical to
glass houses, under which natural light derived out of
sun
can
be
supplemented
with
artificial lighting and metal reflectors (Dickson
2009). All the above mentioned methods and
techniques can be used by the farmers and the general
public to produce vegetable not only for personal use
but also can be implemented on commercial scale to
extend the availability of vegetables in the market to
ensure food security.

employment; by reducing the expenditures on food

crops. Additionally, it will also reduce environmental
pollution. Produce can be stored for extended periods
after harvest. Native vegetables are often more hardy,
drought-tolerant and resistant to pests and diseases
than non-natives, making them a more resilient option
for vulnerable, small-scale farmers. There is a reduced
need for irrigation and expensive chemicals, making
them even more accessible to the poorest farmers.
Vegetables and fruits cultivation at small and
commercial levels is a powerful tool to ensure food
security, to improve the environmental conditions and
at the same time these can also be exploited to uplift
the economic status of small farmers throughout the
country, therefore it is suggested that in our country a
revolution of greens should be launched.
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CONCLUSION
Increased production of fruits and vegetables will
reduce load on cereal crops. It will uplift the economic
status of small farmer through direct and indirect
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