Deforestation, floods, climate changes, water scarcity and lack of early warning system are posing a serious threat of food insecurity that needs attention of researchers, policy makers and industry.

Deforestation, floods, climate changes, water scarcity and lack of early warning system are posing a serious threat of food insecurity that needs attention of researchers, policy makers and industry . It was echoed at first stakeholders meeting of newly established USAID Funded Centre for Advanced Studies (CAS) in Food Security and Agriculture (FSA) setup at the University of Agriculture Faisalabad. The session was chaired by CAS Director Prof Dr Bashir Ahmad. Briefing the audience about the centre, Dr Bashir Ahmad said five chairs had been established under the CAS-FSA that includes Agricultural Policy Chair; Climate Change Chair; Biotechnology Chair, Precision Agriculture Chair and Outreach Chair. He said the population of the country was increasing rapidly whereas the water reservoirs and agricultural land was diminishing. He said that effective measures are needed to fight with the food security and agricultural changes. He said CAS will have a council for research and policy to work as think tank to develop, review and recommend policies that support and enhance CAS-FSA research and academic activities. He said that CAS would offer 100 postgraduate (20 PhD, 80 MS) scholarships every year to talented and needy students. He said that the CAS will also provide off-campus learning experience to at least 200 students at the University of California, US. He said CAS will initiate to develop a rigorous process of curriculum reforms to improve the relevance and quality of its educational programs. The five new postgraduate degree programs, with multidisciplinary approach will be launched at the UAF in collaboration with CAS. CAS Climate Chair Head Dr Ashfaq Ahmad said that we need to re-define agro ecological zones and introduce new cropping patterns in line with the ecological zones. He said that we also need to come with climate resilient agriculture, biotechnology/genetically modified crops, diversification, establish agro-met services. He said that the the proposed research agenda of the Chair is climate change monitoring system, Establishment of Agri Data Bank based upon past and future climate, crop and livestock data for stakeholders. He also called for working and promoting on the climate resilient agricultural practices. Progressive Farmer Dr Manzoor Thakar said that US has water reservoirs for 1086 Days, followed by China and India but Pakistan is no more there as it has only 28 days water reservoirs. He stressed upon the need to devise the policies for compensation the farmers affected by climate change. He said that the population was increasing with the large pace that is causing many problems including food and urbanization. Chief Meteorologist Dr Gulam Rasool said that Pakistan’s problem has always been too much water and too little water.. He said rising mercury in the region can destroy most cultivable land if the tangible steps are not taken. He said that changing patterns of rainfall, rapid melting of glaciers and increasingly common tropical cyclones need to be coped with the help of . CAS Director of Administration Irfan Abbas said that there is the gap between academic and industry which must be bridged. He said that under the CAS, all-out efforts would be made to address the issue of food security and agriculture. Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist Farjeel Javed said that precision agriculture and information technology can increase the productivity. He said that Precision Agriculture is being practiced in all developed countries. We have to adopt such measures to ensure the food for increasing population.