HYDERABAD:National and international experts have emphasized the need for practical measures to address the shortage of food and nutrition in the country, stating that pregnant women and children under five years of age could be severely affected by the lack of food.
All stakeholders must expand nutrition awareness programs at the university level to prevent post-harvest losses in agriculture, alleviate poverty, research new food sources and focus on rural health.
They expressed this while addressing the Second Annual Pakistan-Korea Nutrition Center (PKNC) Conference organized by the Institute of Food Sciences and Technology at Sindh Agriculture University Tandojam, in collaboration with Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) Pakistan and the University of Agriculture Faisalabad, on Tuesday at main Auditorium Hall.
Addressing the inaugural ceremony, the vice chancellor Dr. Fateh Mari highlighted that 45% of children under five years of age in Pakistan are affected by food shortages, with over 32% b
eing underweight for their age and 15% suffering from severe malnutrition. He emphasized the need for collaboration among scientific institutions, experts, and stakeholders to ensure food security. “The climate change has had negative effects on agricultural production and its quality, which is also posing further risks to food security,” he added.
Special guest Agha Fakhar Hussain, Director General of Sindh Food Authority, emphasized the importance of addressing health hazards associated with harmful food and announced the expansion of the Food Business Monitoring System. Moreover, initiatives such as chemical analysis and microbiology laboratories are in progress, along with training and internship programs for university graduates to play a role in local communities.
KOICA Pakistan’s Country representative, Jeho Weon said that they are aiding in food security projects, specifically those related to nutritional interventions, through collaborative efforts with the government. Dr. Kim Jae Han, Program Man
ager of Pakistan-Korea Nutrition Center and Changnam National University, South Korea stressed the need for increased attention to agricultural production and rural health.
He emphasized the significance of nutrition and health education programs at universities.
On this occasion, the Director General of Sindh Agriculture Research Noor Muhammad Baloch emphasized the need to reclaim 8 million hectares of uncultivated land for agriculture and train rural women in kitchen gardening. Dr. Masood Sadiq Butt, Dean of University of Agriculture Faisalabad expressed hope for fruitful outcomes from the conference, highlighting the benefits in food processing, value addition, food composition, maternal and child health, and education.
He emphasized the role of lady health workers, schools and practitioners in educating families about the health of children and pregnant women.
James Robert Okoth of FAO underscored the importance of reducing post-harvest losses and paying attention to the health of children under five.
He stressed the need for research on new nutritious food sources.
During the event, speeches were also delivered by Dr. Akbar Zardari, Dr. Aijaz Hussain Soomro, Dr. Tahseen Fatima and Dr. Shahzor Gul Khaskheli. Subsequently, esteemed guests inaugurated the Food Testing Laboratory, supported by the Sindh government’s Food Department, and showcased food items prepared by students. A large number of representatives from South Korea, Karachi University, University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Sindh Agriculture Research, Agriculture Extension, various universities, educational research institutions, professors, and students participated in the event.