International Seminar on Climate Changes and Food Security: Policy Issues

Speakers at an International Seminar called for pacing up efforts to ensure food security amid climate changes as world population will reach nine billion by 2050 whereas the climate changes are affecting the agricultural productivity worldwide. This was stated by speakers at the international seminar on climate changes and food security: Policy issues arranged by University of Agriculture Faisalabad’s Office of Research, Innovation and Commercialization (ORIC) at New Senate Hall. Addressing on the occasion, David Spielman from International Food Policy Research Institute said that climate changes were playing havoc with the lives of people and agriculture in the form of increased floods, soil erosion and other natural calamities. He said the more than one billion of the world is suffering from hunger. He also warned that if tangible steps are not taken, the number will increase . He said that it is challenges to increase the agricultural production to meet the demand of ever growing population. UAF Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan said that it is need of the hour to increase the efforts to combat with the disasters. He said that country faces massive loss worth billion of rupees because of floods. He said that temperature has increased by 0.6 °C over the past century which is likely to increase by 1.1 °C by the end of the current century. Already Pakistan is rated as a “high risk” country in the global rankings for Climate Change Vulnerability Index. Former Minister Hussain Jahanian Gardazi said that time has come when we have to make the collected efforts to face the challenge. He said that the Pakistan is blessed with the talented people who should come forward for the noble cause. Intellectual Property Right Director General Mr. Tarik Feroze said the Intellectual Property enables technology creation and technology transfer by providing the necessary enabling environment. He said that by giving the latest technology to the farming community, per acre production can be boosted up to ensure the food security. Director, Institute of Agricultural and Resource Economics, Prof Dr Muhammad Ashfaq said that the climate changes are affecting the world badly. The drought and floods are the result of it. It is must to aware the masses about the issue so that it can tackled effectively. Director External Linkages Dr Ashfaq Ahmad Chatha called for making the balanced use of resources. He said that natural resources are depleting so we have to take the extra measures in this regard. IPO Director General Muhammad Ismail urged the scientists to produce the tangible researches to tackle the issue at large. He hoped it will help fight the challenges. Dr Zulfiqar Ali and other notables also spoke on the occasion.