UAF NEWS

It is matter of grave concern that Pakistan is at 106th number out of 119 countries in Global Hunger Index.

It was echoed by experts at the inaugural session of International Conference on Food Processing and Entrepreneurship: A way towards Economic Sustainability arranged by National Institute of Food Science and Technology, Faculty of Food Nutrition and Home Sciences, University of Agriculture Faisalabad at New Senate Hall. Chairing the session, French Embassy Cooperation Attaché Dr Pierrick Le Jeune said that France is receiving 50 students from Pakistan each year so that 700 Pakistani students get benefited so far to study in France. He said that France was devising a new agri policy in which ties with agricultural institutions will be further strengthened. He said that they had initiated Hello Tomorrow campaign to promote entrepreneurship in which Pakistani youth can avail the opportunity. He said that they were partnered in the program Action Against Hunger. UAF Vice Chancellor Dr Zafar Iqbal Randhawa said that food processing was as old as the civilization but it changed it shape from time to time. He added that after the invention of state-of-the-art agricultural and food trends, we have to adopt these technologies to add value in our food. It will not only increase the income but also help fetch foreign reserves. He said that being the agrarian county, Pakistan was having tremendous potential. He said that the university scientists should come up with solid solutions for the value addition to the fruits and vegetables. Dean Faculty of Food, Nutrition and Home Sciences Dr Masood Sadiq Butt said that 60 percent of our population was aged under 30 years which have a lot of potential to move the country to new horizon of development. He said that keeping financial situation of the country and job market in view, we had to develop the skills of entrepreneurship among youth. It will enable them to become job providers rather than job seekers. He said that in global entrepreneurship index, the county is at the 120th number out of 137th countries. He said that the country total import bill was recorded 60 billion US dollar as compared to export bill which stood only 22 billion US dollar. NIFSAT Director General Dr Tahir Zahoor said that the strong industry linkages were essential to move toward knowledge-based economy. He said that all-out efforts were being taken to strengthen NIFSAT ties with food and other related industry.