SOUTH-ASIA -FOOD- SHORTAGES

South Asia being the hot-spot for the future, will face increase food demand due to its demographic growth and changing lifestyles, said participants of the three-day international workshop jointly organised by-

The - Centre for Climate Research and Development Comsats University, Islamabad and the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, Germany in Islamabad.

Scientists from leading institutes from  Europe and South Asian countries, international non-governmental organisations, think tanks and research organizations in-depth deliberated on ensuring  food security in the region where already 300 million people undernourished , resulting in the largest numbers of  food insecure  persons in the sub-continent.

German Ambassador in Pakistan Martin Kobler, while inaugurating the workshop said :

''Without concerted efforts by all the region's stakeholders, it would not be possible to tackle the already mounting  regional food security issue.''

He emphasised  technology transfers  by the developed countries and engagement of women in research as need of the hour to combat the problem.

Presenting  Food Agriculture Organisation's  [FAO]  approach to the Water-Energy-Food Nexus, FAP Representative in Pakistan  Mina Dowlatchahi said :

"Understanding and managing the complex interactions between water, energy and food security is essential to cope with  changing climate  and for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

The FAO approach to the  Water-Energy-Food  Nexus describes  the complex and inter-related nature of our global resources systems with social, economic and environmental goals.

Uptake of new technologies, changes in agriculture and water management practices by small holder farmers with concurrent actions to help conserve natural resources and protect our  eco-system will pave the towards food security  and the eradication of malnutrition in all its forms."