FAISALABAD: Experts, policymakers and researchers at a policy dialogue titled ‘Research for Food’ called for strengthening agricultural research systems, improving institutional coordination and ensuring policy consistency to address Pakistan’s growing food security challenges.
The dialogue was organised at the Centre for Advanced Studies (CAS), University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF), under the Punjab Higher Education Commission (PHEC) research cluster.
The event was jointly organised by the Agri Policy, Law and Governance Centre, UAF, Punjab Higher Education Commission, University of Management and Technology, Muhammad Nawaz Sharif University of Agriculture and the BNU Center for Policy Research, Beaconhouse National University.
During the event, a book titled ‘Debate: Agriculture and Food Security Policy’ authored by Prof Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan, Prof Dr Faqir Muhammad Anjum and Prof Dr M Asif Kamran was launched.Addressing participants, Punjab Higher Education Commission Chairman Prof Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan said Pakistan’s food insecurity was largely a case of neglect and stressed the need for research-based policies to tackle emerging agricultural challenges.
He said declining agricultural productivity per acre was linked to traditional farming methods, deteriorating soil health, climate change, limited access to modern machinery and weak policy implementation.
Vice Chancellor UAF Prof Dr Zulfiqar Ali said food security had become one of the most serious global challenges due to climate change, water scarcity and rapid population growth.Director Agri Policy, Law and Governance Centre, UAF, Prof Dr M Asif Kamran said the dialogue aimed to provide a platform for researchers, academicians and policymakers to formulate recommendations for sustainable food systems.
