RECORDER REPORT

FAISALABAD: Despite having surplus productivity in all major crops, as many as 33 percent of the population is malnourished, said University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF) Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Iqrar A Khan.

Addressed training program on agricultural commodities analysis arranged by US Pakistan Center for Advanced Studies in Agriculture and Food Security, UAF, at the Video Conference Room, he said that we have to take the measures to ensure the nutrition security also. He said that we have to raise awareness about balanced diet, food habits and healthy way of life. He said that top 10 malnourished countries, the population opted to wheat and rice.

There is a need of diversification and change in eating habits to lead a healthy life. He said that the country have the suitable environment to grow 500 crops whereas we are only stuck to five crops.

He said we are losing grains at 16 percent and fruit and vegetable at 40 percent in the post-harvest process due to weak system. He called for improving the mechanism of storage as there are plenty of corn lying on the mercy of sky let it dry or not. He said that with the passage of time, per capita water availability is decreasing, posing a threat to the food security.