Crisis management: Food security threat discussed

FAISALABAD:

The agricultural productivity of major crops is facing stagnation for the last two decades amid rising population that is increasing the threat of food security.

This was stated by the University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF) Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan.

He urged researchers to play a professional role to address the challenges of food security and improve the lives of people. He said that the government, farming community and civil society demand out-of-the-box solutions to agricultural problems facing the country.

Furthermore, with the country’s population growing at an alarming rate, the need to address food security cannot be more urgent.

“It is a matter of grave concern that cotton productivity has reduced to 35% this year due to climate changes,” said Khan. He urged scientists to develop climate resilient varieties to cope with emerging challenges of agriculture.

Modern drafting technology allows for development of seed varieties that can withstand numerous adverse conditions. He said that  Centre for Advanced Studies in Agriculture and Food Security UAF had identified ten priority areas for research that will help increase per acre productivity and reduce the post-harvest losses.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 28^th,  2016.

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