Eco-smart agriculture discussed
A view of Karachi University. PHOTO: MOHAMAMD NOMAN/EXPRESS
The University of Karachi (KU) on Wednesday inaugurated a three-day international conference titled "Eco-Smart Agriculture: Effective Utilization of Stress-Tolerant Plants for Food Security and the Future," highlighting climate change, biodiversity loss and food insecurity as urgent global challenges.
Organised by the Dr Muhammad Ajmal Khan Institute of Sustainable Halophyte Utilization (Dr MAK-ISHU) in collaboration with ZABIST University, the conference brought together scientists and researchers from Pakistan and abroad at KU's Chinese Teachers' Memorial Auditorium.
Experts stressed that climate change, soil degradation, biodiversity loss and rapid population growth are placing unprecedented pressure on global food systems, making eco-smart agriculture essential rather than optional.
Former KU vice chancellor and eminent botanist Dr Muhammad Qaiser emphasised the need to expand genetic diversity by utilising wild crop relatives, which are naturally resilient to drought and environmental stress.