FAISALABAD, Jan 25: Renowned food scientists and technologists have stressed the need to introduce value-added food products to compete in international market following the implementation of WTO agreements. Speaking to participants of the 16th All Pakistan Food Science Conference held here at the University of Agriculture under the aegis of Pakistan Society of Food Scientists and Technologists here on Wednesday, the scientists said it was imperative to focus on value-added products.

They said Pakistan could utilize agro-industrial wastes for the production of high value by-products.

The scientists said countrymen were facing problems like malnutrition that included lack of calories, micro-nutrients deficiency, food adulteration, non-availability of adequate food and inadequate drinking water supply. Unbalanced diet was responsible for poor health of people, they added.

University of Agriculture Vice-Chancellor Dr Bashir Ahmed said the last two centuries had witnessed major ‘revolutions’ in agricultural technology that had provided mankind with plentiful food supply.

He said the first revolution was based on mechanization which resulted in increased cultivable land, intensive farming and greater crop yields. The second revolution was based on the science of chemistry which enabled development and production of fertilizers, pesticides and other agricultural chemicals, the VC said and added that the last revolution had focussed on biology which contributed larger harvests from a given area of farmland.

He said all these revolutions were based on improved agronomic practices, breeding techniques and application of biotechnology.

He said discovery of the principles of food preservation in 1960s had led to another revolution. It had helped mankind to avert starvation during period of low harvest.

He said the rapidly growing population required not only new agricultural technologies to boost food production but also demanded improvement in storage, processing facilities and application of scientific principles to food safety and security.

Pakistan Society of Food Scientists and Technologists President Dr Wazir Husain Shah highlighted the problems being faced by the economy and scientists due to WTO protocols.

Institute of Food Science and Technology Director Dr Faqir Muhammad Anjum said a strong and cohesive linkage had been developed with the food industry and foreign universities.