Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: The ‘World Food Day’ was celebrated on Friday at National Agricultural Research Centre (NARC) with theme of this year “Climate is changing; Food and Agriculture must too”, to raise public awareness about the importance of the day and its theme as well as to firm commitment to eradicate hunger and poverty in the world.

The event was organised by Ministry of National Food Security and Research, Agricultural Research Council (PARC) in collaboration with Food Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations, World Food Programme (WFP), International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and Oxfam International, Pakistan.

On the occasion, the message of President Mamnoon Hussain was read by Dr Ahmad Bakhsh Mahar, Member PARC Plant Sciences Division, message of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was read by Dr Munir Ahmad, Director General PARC Agricultural Engineering Division, message of Rome FAO director general was read by Patrick T Evans, FAO country representative in Pakistan, message of WFP Executive Director was read by Stephen Gluning, Acting Country Director WFP, Pakistan, the message of IFAD president was read by Qaim Shah, IFAD Head in Pakistan, while the message of Oxfam International was read by Sammiya Tur Rauf, Oxfam, Pakistan.

President Mamnoon, in his message, said the annual celebration of World Food Day provides us an opportunity to renew our commitment to make all efforts to ensure global food security in collaboration with FAO. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, in his message, said that Pakistan was celebrating World Food Day to show solidarity with the world for the cause of the day. The economy of Pakistan was primarily agrarian and hence prone to vagaries of weather and changing climate, he said.

While addressing on the occasion, Sikandar Hayat Khan Bosan, Minister for National Food Security and Research (NFSR), said that this year’s theme was “Climate is changing, food and agriculture must too”, carries importance not to the ministry but the entire world.

The theme mainly highlighted that how food and agriculture should respond to challenges of climate change.

The minister said that the UN secretary general in his message has rightly said that as the global population expands we will need to satisfy the increasing demand for food.

The agriculture sector is most vulnerable to climate change, which has direct implications on the food security and livelihood of 180 million people, he said.

“It is directly affecting ecosystems and our ability to produce food for teaming millions. The 60 percent rural inhabitants in Pakistan are involved in the production of food not only for their own needs but also for the urban population. The rural population of countries like Pakistan contributes little to greenhouse gasses emission but they suffer more from natural as well as manmade disasters”, he added. Globally, Pakistan is contributing only one percent to the greenhouse gasses from energy, industry and transport sector, he said. However, the agriculture sector contributes methane from the paddy rice fields and livestock, he added.

There is an immense pressure on natural resources and environment due to intensification of crops and livestock sectors in order to feed every growing population in the country, Bosan said. As a result, we are experiencing rapid ground water depletion, watersheds degradation, desertification, deforestation and rangelands deterioration, he added.

Muhammad Abid Javed, Secretary Ministry of National Food Security and Research, while addressing on the occasion, said that every year this event not only recalls the FAO founding in 1945 but also promotes worldwide awareness and action for those who suffer from hunger and malnutrition. Cumulatively, climate change is affecting the health of people and causing more natural disasters and environmental problems, he said.

In order to feed a growing population in Pakistan, which is projected to exceed 300 million by the 2050, we have to learn to grow what we need in a sustainable manner without destroying natural resources, he added.

PARC acting Chairman Dr Nadeem Amjad, while addressing on the occasion, said that climate change was one of the major challenges faced by the world and Pakistan is no exception to it. “Everyone is seeing and experiencing the effects of climate change in multiple forms like global warming, increase in frequency and intensity of floods and droughts, changes in seasons, and rapid melting of glaciers. Pakistan is among the most vulnerable countries in the world facing climate risks, which means climate change is now threatening the future of millions in Pakistan”, he added. NARC Director General Dr Muhammad Azeem Khan in his vote of thanks appreciated the efforts of all collaborative organisations to make it a success. He said the presence of NFSR minister and secretary firm the commitment of Pakistani government. He appreciated the role of electronic and print media to highlight the agriculture sector of Pakistan. On this occasion, NFSR Minister Sikandar Hayat Khan Bosan awarded seven farmers including men and women with cash awards.