KARACHI: United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (UNFAO) country head in Pakistan Florence Rolle stressed the need for working together in a bid to develop agriculture and resolve problems of food security.
“UNFAO has been working together with various institutions in Pakistan for the development of agriculture and to resolve problems related to agriculture and food security,” she said.
Florence Rolle, accompanied by UNFAO director programmes Dr Aamir Irshad, visited the Sindh Agriculture University (SAU) Tandojam on Saturday and discussed issues of mutual interest with the university authorities, and visited various departments of the varsity while attending a brief ceremony at the rest house.
Rolle said the UN has been playing a key role in food security and agricultural development around the world, no doubt many problems are arising because of climate change, growing population and pollution, while the dilapidated state of agricultural land and the growing poverty situation is a major challenge for countries like Pakistan.
She said the SAU bristles with excellent infrastructure and capable experts; they are also setting up an FAO centre at the university. She said there are many opportunities for joint research work with Sindh Agriculture University Tandojam on climate change, agricultural entrepreneurship, food security and climate resilient agriculture. She also thanked the university authorities for providing space for the FAO’s field office.
SAU Faculty of Social Sciences Dean Dr Aijaz Ahmad Khunharo said the university is already a partner of UNFAO and working in the field of agriculture and animal sciences and aware of national and international issues, and transfer of new technologies with technical assistance to local farmers and investors for the development of agriculture and agri-entrepreneurs.
Welcoming distinguished guests on behalf of SAU Vice Chancellor Dr Fateh Marri, SAU Director Advancement & Financial Assistance and Focal Person Prof Dr Muhammad Ismail Kumbhar said the university is committed to liaising with national and international organisations for agriculture, climate change, food security and sustainable agriculture and imparting quality higher education. He has also delivered a brief presentation on achievements and research efforts of the varsity.
Dr Inayatullah Rajpar briefed Ms Florence Rolle about the new initiatives and future plans of the university, he said the university is working on agricultural waste and fiber is produced from banana waste, while research work is also underway on modern technology for the survival of indigenous and rare local breeds of animals.
UNFAO director programmes Dr Aamir Irshad and UNFAO project coordinator Ali Dino Kumbhar also expressed their views in the event, while the guests were presented with cultural gifts, Ajrak.