National consultations on food security challenges held
Participants emphasise expanded use of data, digital and communication technologies
PHOTO: REUTERS
ISLAMABAD:
For the first time, the youth were invited to participate in a national consolation on food security, nutrition and agriculture as part of preparations for the upcoming 35th United Nations (UN) Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) Regional Conference for Asia and Pacific (APRC).
The consultation was held in Islamabad on Wednesday and youngsters from partner organisations, along with representatives of women associations, government officials, private sector entities and civil society community members and organisations, academia and think-tanks participated.
During the consultation, stakeholders updated themselves on trends and challenges on the state of food and agriculture in the Asia Pacific region, water in agriculture under conditions of water scarcity, and the need to develop sustainable food systems, with reduced food loss and waste that are also nutrition-sensitive, equitable and resilient.
FAO representative in Pakistan Minà Dowlatchahi gave an overview of what FAO achieved in Pakistan and the future FAO’s regional priorities and areas of technical focus for 2020-2021.
“The promotion of sustainable transformation of food and agriculture systems to end poverty and malnutrition, climate change and the enhancement of sustainable management of natural resources; and the control of trans-boundary animal and plant pests and diseases are priorities very relevant to the Pakistan situation,” she said, pointing to climate change issues and the recent locust attacks which have ravaged crops in Pakistan.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 30th, 2020.
For the first time, the youth were invited to participate in a national consolation on food security, nutrition and agriculture as part of preparations for the upcoming 35th United Nations (UN) Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) Regional Conference for Asia and Pacific (APRC).
The consultation was held in Islamabad on Wednesday and youngsters from partner organisations, along with representatives of women associations, government officials, private sector entities and civil society community members and organisations, academia and think-tanks participated.
During the consultation, stakeholders updated themselves on trends and challenges on the state of food and agriculture in the Asia Pacific region, water in agriculture under conditions of water scarcity, and the need to develop sustainable food systems, with reduced food loss and waste that are also nutrition-sensitive, equitable and resilient.
FAO representative in Pakistan Minà Dowlatchahi gave an overview of what FAO achieved in Pakistan and the future FAO’s regional priorities and areas of technical focus for 2020-2021.
“The promotion of sustainable transformation of food and agriculture systems to end poverty and malnutrition, climate change and the enhancement of sustainable management of natural resources; and the control of trans-boundary animal and plant pests and diseases are priorities very relevant to the Pakistan situation,” she said, pointing to climate change issues and the recent locust attacks which have ravaged crops in Pakistan.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 30th, 2020.