By Qudsia Bano ISLAMABAD, Feb. 28 (INP-WealthPK): Pakistan has one of the highest per capita wheat consumption rates in the world. In fact, if the 27 countries of the European Union were considered a single region, Pakistan would rank in the top 25 global per capita flour users, which is monumental especially when yields are low. Most low-income Asian countries relied on rice as a dietary staple during the second half of the twentieth century as it was a cheaper source of carbs and calories than flour. Instead of cereals, more people in the Global North acquire the required proportion of their calories from foods including meat, dairy products, nuts, fruits and vegetables, which are richer in protein and fat content. Despite the high levels of consumption, Pakistan has seen a drop in per capita wheat availability as it has decreased from 150 kilogrammes to 116 kilogrammes. As a result, the country has to import wheat to meet the growing demand. Wheat takes precedence over other cereals like rice, barley, oats, rye, millet, sorghum, buckwheat and mixed grains that are produced in Pakistan, because over 90% people use it as staple food. According to the United Nations COMTRADE database on international commerce, Pakistan's cereal exports totaled $2.12 billion in 2020. After wheat comes rice, also a common cereal, and a lucrative exportable item. The country expects rice exports to reach 4.6 million tonnes in calendar year 2021, up 17% from 2020. Maize, which is also the highest-yielding cereal crop the world over, is critical for countries like Pakistan, where rapidly rising population, feed, and fodder demand have already depleted available food, feed, and fodder supplies. Maize is used as a versatile food and fodder crop in Pakistan, mostly by resource-poor farmers. Maize is the most popular cereal in the world, both in terms of production and productivity. After wheat and rice, it is Pakistan's third most important cereal. However, there are certain factors contributing to low per acre yield of cereal crops in Pakistan. The farmers need to be provided with the mandatory knowledge of cultivation techniques. Ensuring continuous availability of abundant water, quality seeds and pesticides at low costs will definitely encourage farmers to improve their yields, which will help the country achieve food security and enhance exports in the long run.