Mohammad Ismail Motlagh, a member of the Supreme Council of Health and Food Security, at the commemoration of World Food Day and Healthy Nutrition, referred to the multidimensional concept of food security and said: "Sustainable provision of food, economic and physical access to food, quality and safety of food, the nutritional status of the community, and the sustainability of the food system" are among the important dimensions of this issue.
Challenges of Food Security and Comprehensive Policy Making
Motlagh pointed to the multiple challenges facing the country's food system and said: "Climate change, limited water resources, and economic inequalities" are among the factors affecting food security. In this regard, the development of a national food and nutrition security document with 221 actions has been put on the agenda, aimed at ensuring food safety at all stages of production, harvesting, distribution, and consumption.
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Economic Access to Healthy Food
Motlagh emphasized that providing healthy food alone is not enough, and economic access for people to these foods is also important. In this regard, the Ministry of Cooperatives, Labor, and Social Welfare, in collaboration with supportive agencies, is responsible for pursuing programs related to providing low-income groups with food. The selection of items eligible for subsidy support has been made in such a way as to meet the nutritional needs of the people.
Motlagh referred to the food security situation in different regions and announced special programs in the Arvand region of Khuzestan. In this area, the level of food insecurity had previously reached 67%, which, with the cooperation of universities and the Ministry of Health, a program has been initiated to improve the nutritional status. This program emphasizes empowering people with their own participation.
He also referred to the launch of a nutritional empowerment program for residents of the marginal areas of Zahedan and said: "This program has started by the order of the Minister of Health and in collaboration with other agencies to expedite the improvement of nutrition in these areas."
Motlagh further mentioned the actions taken to secure food supplies in wartime conditions and explained that necessary planning has been done to prevent food shortages during crises. He emphasized: "Cities must have the ability to secure their food reserves for about a month during crisis conditions."
Finally, Motlagh announced the finalization of the health and food security indicators of the country and said: "These indicators have been developed for continuous monitoring of the country's status and the possibility of comparison with global indicators."
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