HARIPUR: Harnessing the full potential of horticulture in the country is imperative to accomplish the objectives of improved livelihood and sustainable development through food security.

This was the gist of a national seminar titled ‘Horticulture for Food Security and Livelihoods’ organised by the department of horticulture, University of Haripur, here on Friday.

The keynote speaker was Prof Mohammad Jafar Jaskani from the Institute of Horticultural Sciences, University of Agriculture Faisalabad.

The speakers delved into the issues of food security, the challenges faced by fruits and vegetables, and how agricultural growth was linked to government policies.

They said that horticulture had a vital role to play in ensuring food security, improving nutrition, and enhancing livelihoods so there was a dire need to encourage eco-friendly farming methods to boost productivity and resilience.

“The government should support scientific research to develop new crop varieties, improve yields, and address emerging challenges. Efficient market systems should be developed to connect farmers with consumers, ensuring fair prices and reduced post-harvest losses,” a speaker said, adding that training of small-scale farmers to enhance their productivity and incomes was a must. “Fostering collaboration with private sector stakeholders to leverage resources, expertise, and innovation are the measures needed to be adopted.”

The speakers also recommended developing strategies to mitigate the impact of climate change on horticulture. They also called for enhancing digital extension to provide farmers with real-time advice, market information, and best practices. They said value-added products should be encouraged to increase shelf life, reduce waste, and enhance profitability.

They noted that farmer organisations should be supported to improve bargaining power, access to resources, and market linkages. They said establishing robust monitoring and evaluation systems to track progress, identify gaps, and inform policy decisions were also imperative.

Published in Dawn, May 24th, 2025