ISLAMABAD: The national food security ministry is ensuring maximum financing for the anti-locust operations across the country with foreign assistance of $350 million provided by the planet Bank and therefore the Asian Development Bank (ADB), said a handout issued by the ministry on Sunday.
The financing of $200 million from the planet Bank and $150 million from the ADB would be considered under the Locusts Emergency and Food Security Project (LEAFS). The handout added that the concept note had been approved by the Economic Affairs Division (EAD) and therefore the PC-I would be submitted in the upcoming meeting of the Central Development working group (CDWP).
“LEAFS is that the first federal agricultural project financed by the planet Bank in Pakistan,” the ministry said. “This may be a direct response to the consensus that [the ministry’s] policy function and coordination role across provinces should be significantly strengthened,” it added.
The national food security ministry is liable for the general project implementation with the support of the provincial governments also because of the relevant national and international organizations. The project cost estimated at $200 million.
LEAFS project spans out its activities over 18 districts – 9 in Balochistan, 4 in Punjab, 4 in Sindh, and 1 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The ministry takes the general coordination role of the project implementation by establishing a Federal Project committee (FPSC).
The ministry also will be liable for approval of annual work plans, monitoring or reviewing financial reporting, third-party validation, midcourse corrections within the project, and re-allocation of funds, consistent with the handout.
The primary beneficiaries of the project are going to be farmers and agricultural laborers of Pakistan who sleep in areas susceptible to desert locust infestation. For these groups, the proposed project will prevent locust infestations from damaging their livelihoods and supply compensatory income support opportunities.
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