FAO, in collaboration with the Government and other UN partners, observed World Food Day (WFD) under the theme "Water is Life, Water is Food Leave no one behind." The event took place near Al-Manzar, Jamshoro in Sindh along the River Indus, where over 500 participants from various sectors joined hands to clean up the riverbank. This initiative emphasized the critical role of clean water in agriculture and overall well-being.
World Food Day annually promotes the transformation of food systems. This year's theme underscored the significance of water in agriculture and community well-being, aligning with the Living Indus Initiative—a joint effort between the Government of Pakistan and UN agencies aimed at addressing ecological health in the Indus River Basin, especially in the face of climate challenges.
This year, FAO Pakistan, alongside the Government and other UN agencies operating in Pakistan, launched the "Clean Indus" campaign. This campaign's focus is on water conservation and improving water quality to enhance food production. It seeks to raise awareness and inspire action to protect the Indus River.
Key figures such as Haji Khan Jamali, Chief Engineer Sindh, Asadullah Khoso, Assistant Deputy Commissioner, Jamshoro, and Agha Fakher, Director General Food Authority Sindh, addressed the audience, emphasizing the importance of water in agriculture, food production, and food security. They highlighted the rapid depletion of irrigation resources and the need for repairing and restoring water resources for future generations.
Representatives from the farmers' community, Zulfiqar Ali Kachelo and Naghma Naz, shared the challenges faced by their community and stressed the vital importance of water. They underscored that water is essential for farmers, as they can manage fertilizers and nutrients for their fields, but survival without water is impossible.
Florence Rolle, FAO Representative in Pakistan, highlighted the country's agricultural significance, ranking it as the worlds third largest in irrigated land. This underscores the relevance of the "Clean Indus" initiative in Pakistan.
The Indus River, a cultural and economic cornerstone of Pakistan, faces challenges such as glacier melting and pollution. The FAO's "Clean Indus" campaign aims to raise awareness and promote collaborative action, emphasizing the potential for ecosystem restoration and drawing inspiration from successful efforts in other nations.
Similar events were also organized in KP, Punjab and Balochistan as well to raise awareness among the general public about the vital role of water for our survival.