Higher Education Commission Chairman Dr Mukhtar Ahmad has urged the South Asian Association for Regional Co-operation (SAARC) countries to expedite joint efforts in order to avert water scarcity, food insecurity and malnutrition challenges in the region. He was addressing the concluding session of Leveraging Agriculture for Nutrition in South Asia (LANSA) held at the University of Agriculture, Faisalabad.
He was of the view that water scarcity threat looms large, resulting in low agricultural production. He said population is increasing with large pace whereas natural resources and agricultural land are diminishing. He said that country is running through difficult time in the term of food security, energy and water issues. Keeping in view, the USAID in collaboration with HEC is setting up three Centers for Advanced Studies in the said areas. The Centre in Food Security is being established at the UAF. The country is having seven agricultural universities, he said, adding that the varsities should set up a consortium for joint efforts to ensure food security.
UAF Vice Chancellor Professor Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan said the country is placed in the 'red zone' in term of per capita water availability. The per capita water availability has been deceased manifold as it is only 1,000 cubic metres which was 5,200 cubic metres in 1947. He said it is needed to make the rational use of water in the country. He said malnutrition is affecting 40 percent of the children. We have to take measure to end the malnutrition from the region. He said we have to shift our focus from green revolution to ever-green revolution.
Indian renowned scientist Dr MS Swaminathan said the agricultural development and technology transfer would improve lives and livelihoods of rural communities. He called for collaborating in the areas of nutrition, agriculture and food. He said post harvest losses must be minimised for increasing the agricultural productivity.