Workshop on “Applied Nature Need Based research Projects of Food Industries”

The average height of common Pakistani has been fallen down four inches during last 50 years due to under nourishing and food deficiency. This was stated by Speakers in a workshop on “Applied Nature Need Based research Projects of Food Industries” organized by National Institute of Food Science & Technology (NIFSAT) University of Agriculture, Faisalabad here on Monday at New Senate Hall. Speaking on the occasion, Chief Guest Prof. Dr. Iqrar Ahmad Khan, Vice Chancellor UAF said that cousin marriage was also one of the reasons for small height in the Country. He urged the need for new diet packages to be introduced for balance affordable food. Dr. Iqrar Ahmad Khan expressed his concerns over existing eating habits of the peoples. He said that fifty years back a huge amount of corn flour was being used traditionally as regular food but unfortunately we had lost the mechanism to cook “Roti” with corn flour, which of course is much cheaper and affordable for everyone. Dr. Iqrar revealed that B. Sc. (Hons) Human Nutrition and Dietetics and Food Engineering were initiated ever first time in the history of the Country. He hoped that by introducing new disciplines a trained human resource would be available to emerging food industry of the Country. Mr. Mehboob Aly Manji, President, VITA Pakistan Ltd. stressed the need for exploit indigenous food potential by introducing fruits drinks of Falsa, Luqat, Jaman and other. He said that floriculture practices could be more beneficent for small farmers to up-lift their living standards. Mr. Manji told that Pakistan was exporting 80-90 tons flowers to Saudi Arabia every year and this volume can be increased by promoting and incentivizing floriculture. Prof. Dr. Faqir Muhammad Anjum, Director General (NIFSAT) highlighted the role of Institute in promoting Food Science Culture & Human Resource Development. He said that Nestle Pakistan and VITA Food have signed MOU’s to promote skill development initiatives through short courses. He added that NIFSAT had conducted 12 National & International Symposia, Seminars and Workshops during last year with the collaboration of Industries. Dr. Muhammad Shafique Ch. Director, RAMNA Food, Lahore stressed the need for value addition mechanism keeping in view the demand of consumers. He expressed his concerns over availability of 4.5 million tons Wheat in Punjab Province stored at various places whereas provincial government was going to purchase more 2.5 million ton wheat this year.