RAWALPINDI: Speakers at a seminar on Tuesday called for improving the agricultural sector to overcome food insecurity, and urged policymakers to formulate pro-poor policies to help people adapt to climate change and increasing food insecurity.

Held at the Pir Mehar Ali Shah – Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi, the seminar was part of a number of activities celebrating World Food Day, to raise awareness about climate change, food insecurity and the importance of agriculture and rural development.

The day’s activities were organised by the university, in collaboration with the Indus Consortium and Oxfam.

The day began with an awareness walk and tree plantation, attended by the university’s pro-vice chancellor, dean, directors, faculty members and students.

Participants also attended a seminar, which included a theatrical performance and a documentary screening.

Students performed a play that aimed to raise awareness about increasing food insecurity, while a short animated film and documentary produced by Oxfam highlighted the resilience of small-holder farmers in the face of changes in temperature and rainfall patterns, as well as an increased frequency of flooding and drought.

Pro-Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Sarwar N Mirza said the event served as a reminder than Pakistan is an agriculture-based economy.

He said it was encouraging that jointly organised development initiatives by academia and the private sector were moving towards the cumulative agenda of development.

He asked young researchers to take the challenge of quality research and develop a vital link with rural communities, and come up with new climate resilient solutions.

Oxfam in Pakistan programmes director Javeria Afzal said: “Climate change and food insecurity across the world is impacting poor people’s access to healthy and nutritious food.

“In a world of plenty, many are forced to migrate to earn more to feed themselves and their dependents.”

Published in Dawn, October 18th, 2017