Urgent Need to Address Food Insecurity in Pakistan and Beyond

Pakistani scientist Prof. Dr. Atta-ur-Rahman, a renowned expert in the field of science and technology, emphasized the critical importance of addressing food insecurity in Pakistan and globally. At a symposium titled "Sustainable Agriculture for Food and Nutritional Security under the Climate Change Scenario," held at the University of Karachi, Prof. Atta-ur-Rahman highlighted the urgent need to adopt sustainable agricultural practices, particularly drought-resistant and climate-resilient crops. He also emphasized the potential of vertical farming and controlled environment agriculture (CEA) in producing fresh food in densely populated cities like Karachi.

Key Takeaways:

• The global market for drought-resistant and climate-resilient crops is projected to reach $52 billion by 2032, underscoring their vital role in sustainable agriculture initiatives.
• Prof. Atta-ur-Rahman noted that vertical farming presents a powerful opportunity for cities like Karachi, where rooftops can be effectively used for urban agriculture.
• Approximately 733 million people faced hunger in 2023, representing 1 in 11 of the global population, with 2.33 billion experiencing moderate to severe food insecurity.
• In OIC member countries, an estimated 203 million people were undernourished in 2020, representing 28% of the global undernourished population and 11.2% of the total OIC population.
• Vertical farming and CEA offer a feasible and efficient solution for producing fresh food in densely populated cities like Karachi, even in limited spaces.
• Drought-resistant and climate-resilient crops are often genetically modified to withstand extreme climatic conditions and ensure consistent food production despite environmental stresses.
• Prof. Iqbal Choudhary expressed deep concern about the global state of food security and nutrition, citing alarming figures on hunger and undernourishment.
• Hunger remains one of the deadliest global challenges, with a death toll exceeding that of AIDS, Malaria, and Tuberculosis.

Statistics:

• 733 million people faced hunger in 2023, approximately 1 in 11 of the global population.
• 2.33 billion individuals experienced moderate to severe food insecurity.
• 864 million people experienced severe food insecurity, often going a full day or more without food.
• 203 million people were undernourished in OIC member countries in 2020, representing 28% of the global undernourished population and 11.2% of the total OIC population.
• The global market for drought-resistant and climate-resilient crops is projected to reach $52 billion by 2032.

Sources:

• ICCBS (International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences), University of Karachi
• SIREN (Sindh Innovation, Research, and Education Network)
• OIC-COMSTECH (Organization of Islamic Cooperation-Comprehensive Agricultural and Livestock Development Programme)
• United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
• King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Saudi Arabia