SAARC focuses on food security

Representatives of Saarc member states start two-day deliberations here on Tuesday.

ISLAMABAD: Representatives of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (Saarc) member states started two-day deliberations here on Tuesday to pave the way for development of agriculture sector with particular focus on devising strategies to ensure food security for the growing population of the region.

The moot has been convened to discuss projects including agriculture development, risk management, post-harvest losses, controlling trans-boundary animal, fish and plant diseases, income enhancement, food security and regional economic cooperation.

Speaking on the occasion, Pakistan Agriculture Research Council (PARC) chairman Dr Zafar Altaf said that agriculture scientists of South Asia needed to go for innovation instead of depending on the West for adopting new technologies.

Considering the population of the region, he said it would need an additional growth of 3 per cent in food production to cater to future needs.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 22^nd, 2010.