Experts underline need to develop resilient, holistic food system to fight hunger

NationalExperts underline need to develop resilient, holistic food system to fight hunger

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: The experts have stressed the need for taking immediate actions to protect the food system to produce enough food in quantity and quality.

While addressing the COMSTECH virtual seminar on World Food Day on the theme of “grow, nourish and sustain together” organized in collaboration with UPSIGN and Pakistan Academy of Sciences, the panelists urged that the COVID pandemic has already posed a serious threat to our food system; we need to develop resilient and holistic food system to fight hunger.

The panelists warned that the food system is facing tremendous pressure from climate change causing the depleting natural resources, soil degradation, water shortage, and increasing threat from invasive species of pests and diseases.

It was noted that the new varieties have a low update of trace elements and essential minerals that needs to be addressed.

Professor Ratan Lal, The World Food Prize Winner 2020, was the chief guest speaker.

A panel of distinguished scholars and policymakers who participated in this seminar included Dr. Tina Barsby OBE, Director and Chief Executive Officer, National Institute of Agricultural Botany (NIAB), UK, Dr. Shahid Mansoor, National Institute for Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering (NIBGE), Professor Iqra Ahmed Khan, former VC of the University of Agriculture, Faisalabad.

Shandana Gulzar Khan, Chairperson of the Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians (CWP) network and chair of Agri products committee in National Assembly of Pakistan informed that the government of Pakistan is keen to develop a long-term strategy to protect its natural resources, especially soil and water for the coming generations in her closing remarks.

Professor Lal stressed the need of teaching our young generation to protect our soil’s health, which is living and improve organic contents, through the restoration of soil health, we can improve human health. Resilient systems are those that can bounce back, we need to encourage urban agriculture. Good food is a good medicine, improving nutritional value. He quoted verses from the Holy Quran meaning “Eat lawful and what is good on earth”.

Dr. Tina Barsby said, “If the world is to grow enough food for the projected global population in 2050, agricultural productivity will have to rise by at least 60%, and may need to grow more than double. Maize, Rice, Wheat and Soybean are only increasing by about 0.9% to 1.6% a year. We need to increase it to 2.4% per year to double yield by 2050”.

Dr. Shahid Mansoor emphasized the need of adopting the speed breeding technologies, which is a combination of red and blue lights to reduce generation time (5-6 generations in a year instead of one or two), reduce breeding time 2-3 years, adopting genomics/genomic selection and use of genetic markers to select desirable traits (such as yield, disease resistance, nutritional value, quality) both for crops and livestock.

Professor Iqrar Khan alluded the need of soil stewardship schemes especially the inclusion of legumes in the cropping system.

Dr. Khalid Mahmood thanked the speakers on behalf of UPSIGN, COMSTECH, and Pakistan Academy of Sciences.

Mati
Mati
Mati-Ullah is the Online Editor For DND. He is the real man to handle the team around the Country and get news from them and provide to you instantly.

Must read

Recent News

Pakistan conducted a successful test-fire of ballistic missile by a Navy ship

0
Islamabad, Pakistan: Pakistan has conducted a successful test-fire of an indigenously developed ballistic missile by a Navy ship, reports DND News Agency from Islamabad.The...
The author Dr. Attia Anwar is a consultant family physician with a postgraduate degree from the Royal College of GP UK. She is a strong advocate of health and well-being and wants patient participation in decision-making regarding health.

Altruism is new egotism

0
By Dr Attia AnwarKindness is another thing that makes your life better. It is very important for the pursuit of happiness. After expressing gratitude...
Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi has arrived in Pakistan today on a two-day official visit and he will hold meetings with civil and military leadership of Pakistan. This is his first visit to Pakistan after Israel attacked Iran in response to Iranian attack on certain Israeli cities. His meetings with Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and Deputy Prime Minister / Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar are confirmed. Foreign Minister Araghchi will hold consultations on the situation in the Middle East and Pakistan-Iran bilateral relations. This visit provides an important opportunity to advance cooperation and dialogue between Pakistan and Iran on a wide range of areas including trade, economic, energy and security.

Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi has arrived in Islamabad

0
Islamabad, Pakistan: Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi has arrived in Islamabad today on a two-day official visit and he will hold meetings with...
War Model Criminal Justice Model Punitive Justice System and Restorative Justice System

Anti-Terrorism (Amendment) Bill 2024: Can Pakistan mitigate terrorism only with the ‘War Model’?

0
DND ReportThe re-emergence of terrorism in Pakistan is now obscuring Pakistan’s potential to become an investment-oriented destination. Today, Pakistan depends upon the ‘War...
Another PTI narrative caved in when Intizar Panjotha appeared yesterday

Another PTI narrative caved in when Intizar Panjotha appeared yesterday

0
Monitoring Desk: Another narrative of PTI caved in when Intizar Panjotha appeared yesterday.It is a proven fact that Tehreek-e-Insaaf wants to achieve its goals...
Advertisement