A ceremony was held at the National Agriculture Research Centre (NARC) in Islamabad to mark the World Food Day. The theme for World Food Day this year is “Climate is changing. Food and Agriculture must too.”
Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research, Mr. Sikandar Hayat Khan Bosan was the chief guest at the ceremony.
Speaking on the occasion Minister Bosan said: “There is an immense pressure on natural resources and environment due to intensification of crop and livestock sectors in order to feed the ever growing population in the country. As a result, we are experiencing rapid ground water depletion, watersheds degradation, desertification, deforestation and rangelands deterioration.”
He also said that that in the draft food security policy document of the Ministry, ample focus has been given to crop diversification, climate change, natural disasters, and zero hunger program
Mr. Patrick T. Evans, FAO Representative in Pakistan also addressed the ceremony. He said :
“We need to mitigate the damage we are doing to our climate. There is a need to adapt our food and agriculture system to new realities of climate change. There is a long road ahead but with collaboration we can make the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals a reality in Pakistan.”
He also read out a message from Mr. Jose Graziano da Silva, Director General FAO.
Seven farmers including four women farmers were given cash awards of Rs.50,000 each for adopting climate smart agricultural practices.
An exhibition was also arranged that showcased the research that is being done in Pakistan in the agriculture sector.
Various organizations including Ministry of National Food Security Research, Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC), FAO, World Food Programme (WFP), International Fund for Agriculture Development (IFAD) and Oxfam came together to organize the event.
Background

FAO celebrates World Food Day each year to commemorate the founding of Organization in 1945. Events are organized in over 150 countries across the world, making it one of the most celebrated days of the UN calendar. These events promote worldwide awareness and action for those who suffer from hunger and for the need to ensure food security and nutritious diets for all. Rising temperatures, changes in rainfall, erratic weather patterns and the prevalence of pests and diseases resulting from climate change threaten agricultural productivity and therefore undermine global food security.

Simultaneously, the world’s population is growing steadily and expected to reach 9.6 billion by 2050. To meet this growing demand, agriculture and food systems must adapt to the adverse effects of climate change and become more resilient, productive and sustainable.In celebration of this year’s World Food Day theme ‘Climate is changing. Food and agriculture must too,’ here are 7 facts around climate change

1. Livestock contributes to nearly two thirds of agriculture greenhouse gas(GHG) emissions, and 78% of agricultural methane emissions

2. Climate Change’s negative impact on natural resources underlines the increasing importance of using these resources sustainably

3. FAO estimates that agricultural production must rise by about 60% by 2050 in order to feed a larger population.

4. Over 1/3 of food produced worldwide is lost or wasted. That amounts to about 1.3 billion tons per year.

5. By 2050 catches of main fish species are expected to decline by up to 40% in the tropics, where livelihoods, food and nutrition security strongly depend on the fisheries sector.

6. Deforestation and forest degradation account for an estimated 10-11 % of global GHG emissions

7. The world aims to achieve Zero Hunger by 2030; climate change is a challenge that must be addressed in order to continue the fight hunger and achieve this goal.