‘842m people remain hungry worldwide’

UAF VC says over 70 per cent of world’s food-insecure population lives in rural areas in developing countries.

FAISALABAD:

“More than 842 million people remain hungry worldwide because they cannot afford to eat adequately,” University of Agriculture, Faisalabad (UAF) Vice Chancellor Iqrar Ahmad Khan said on Friday.

He was speaking at the plenary session of a four-day international conference, Linkage Value Chains and Development along the Rural Urban Interface, organised by the UAF in collaboration with the International Centre for Development and Decent Work (ICDD).

Khan said over 70 per cent of world’s food-insecure population lived in rural areas in developing countries. “Enhanced efforts are needed to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in order to alleviate poverty and hunger worldwide,” he said. The UAF VC said value addition in agricultural produce was “essential.”

“Pakistan has a lot of agricultural produce but is lagging behind in the global market because its supply chains do not meet world standards,” Khan said.

ICDD Executive Director Christoph Scherrer said more emphasis was needed on alleviation of poverty and hunger. He said value addition in Pakistan had much room for improvement. “A better system needs to be devised in this regard.”

Scherrer said modern agricultural practices should be introduced in the country to improve the sector. He said experts should reach out to the farmers.

Dr Andrew Buerkert stressed the need for improving the urban value chain. He also called for enhancing investment in the rural infrastructure.

Buerkert said water scarcity was a major concern. He also stressed the need to boost credit opportunities to farmers for increased productivity.

Department of Livestock Management Chairman Muhammad Younas also spoke on the occasion.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 11^th, 2014.