‘Heavy migration from rural areas posing food security threat’

There is need to improve access to food sources to people

FAISALABAD: Heavy migration from rural to urban areas, ever-increasing population, and conversion of agricultural land into residential colonies are posing a threat to food security.

This was said by experts at a seminar which was held in connection with World Food Day on Tuesday. The session was arranged by the Faculty of Food, Nutrition and Home Sciences, University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF) and was chaired by UAF Vice-Chancellor Dr Muhammad Iqbal Zafar.



Faculty Dean Dr Masood Sadiq Butt and other notables also spoke on the occasion.

The vice-chancellor said that rural development, provision of modern facilities in rural areas, and to make agriculture sector a profitable business will help address the issue of heavy migration.

He added, “Heavy migration from rural areas to cities is not only increasing burden on urban settlements but also causing a negative impact on agriculture sector.”

He maintained, “There is a need to create awareness about balanced usage of food.” He said that simplicity in food habits will help improve the situation. Iqbal Zafar pointed out, “Junk food has become common in people, which is not good for health.”

He said that the threat of food insecurity cannot be mitigated only by a variable increase in the production of food alone, but by efforts to improve access to food sources and to make it affordable to the people. Faculty of Food, Nutrition and Home Sciences Dean Dr Masood Sadiq Butt said that the UAF has kicked off a BS programme in Human Nutrition and Dietetics to produce skilled manpower.



Meanwhile, UAF intra-faculty sports gala arranged by Faculty of Sciences concluded.

The concluding session was chaired by UAF VC Dr. Muhammad Iqbal Zafar while Faculty of Sciences Dean Dr Muhammad Asghar was the guest of honour.

During the tournaments, the Department of Computer Sciences clinched first position with 44 points, while Department of Physics stood second with 37 points. The third position was secured by Department of Chemistry with 28 points.

In the boys cricket matches, Department of Computer Sciences won against Department of Physics. In the football match, Department of Physics won against the Computer Sciences Department.

In the table tennis competition, Department of Computer Sciences won against Department of Chemistry.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 18^th, 2017.