Developing Food Basket for the Consumers in Punjab, Pakistan: Evaluating Cost and Affordability

Abstract

Food is a basic human need and recognized as fundamental human rights in all over the world. It is necessary for the survival of human beings. Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is working to eradicate hunger and poverty from all over the world. FAO gave comprehensive definition of food security which emphasizes on availability, accessibility, utilization and stability of food for every one end everywhere. United Nations also launched agenda 2030 and introduced seventeen Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs’) for member countries to achieve by 2030. Eradication of poverty and hunger are the first and foremost sustainable goals and the third one is defined as “Good Health and Well-Being”. Most of the developing countries like Pakistan are focusing to eradicate hunger by introducing several initiatives but the third goal which is interrelated to nutritional food is overlooked. The initiatives taken by governments to enhance food security did not take into account the nutritional elements of food and also ignored the food preferences and eating pattern of the people. This study develops a customized basic and economical food basket (BEFB) in accordance with the food preferences and eating behaviors of the people of Punjab. Secondary data is taken from different sources to develop the food basket while cost and affordability of the developed food is also determined. Results show that the developed BEFB is economical, affordable and full of nutrition. Study also suggested some policy recommendations to enhance nutritional food security in the country.