ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: A national consultative workshop on “Organic Potential along the Silk Road” was held in Islamabad on Tuesday, aiming to explore measures and alternatives for policy and strategic actions that will allow communities, governments, and the private sector to both protect the environment and thrive economically.
The workshop was organized under the auspices of the Ministry of National Food Security & Research, the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF).
At the outset, ,Mr. Rab Nawaz, the Senior Director Programmes, WWF; and Mr. Farid Ahmed, the Head SPM$E, HQ, ICIMOD gave the welcome remarks followed by the opening remarks by Mr. Mir Waqar Ahmed, the Secretary, Agriculture, Fisheries and Livestock; and Mr. Muhammad Hashim Popalzai, the Secretary, Ministry of National Food Security and Research.
Mr. Ghulam Ali, Programme coordinator, Hindu Kush-Karakoram Pamir, Transboundary Landscapes, ICIMOD apprised the audience about the workshop objectives and agenda.
Whereas Mr. Arif Makhdoom, Advisor WWF; and Mr. Arif Mughal, Member research team presented the summary of the presentation from the study.
Mr. Arif Makhdoom, Advisor, Food Security, WWF Pakistan; and Mr. Atif Mughal, member Research Team, Organic assessment gave a detail presentation on Organize potential in GGC – study finding & recommendations.
In addition, Dr. Farhad Zulfiqar, Assistant Professor, Department of Economics, COMSATS University, Islamabad; Dr. Anu Lama & Dr. Srijana Joshi from ICIMOD; and Anu Joshi Sreshtha also delivered their presentations.
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Representative in Pakistan Ms Minà Dowlatchahi also spoke on the occasion, and said that prices of organic items are higher comparative to non-organic items. She said that agro tourism should be followed, which is based on agriculture and landscape.
Ms Minà Dowlatchahi said that women role is important in environmental protection, ecotourism and tourism at large.
