HYDERABAD, Oct 22 (APP):Vice Chancellor of Sindh Agriculture University (SAU) Tandojam Meritorious Prof. Dr Altaf Ali Siyal has called for agricultural policy reforms, fair prices for farmers and climate-resilient crops to tackle food insecurity, saying that boosting production alone cannot ensure access to affordable and nutritious food.
Speaking at the inauguration of a food exhibition organized by the university’s Institute of Food Sciences and Technology (IFST) to mark World Food Day 2026, he said the country needed a more sustainable food system that balanced farmers’ incomes with consumers’ purchasing power.
The event was held under the theme “Innovate Today. Nourish Tomorrow.”
Dr Siyal said rising production costs, poverty, declining purchasing power and climate change were placing growing pressure on Pakistan’s food system. He stressed the need for coordinated policies covering agriculture, food processing, research and social protection to ensure that nutritious food remained accessible and affordable.
He called for diversifying agricultural production by promoting high-value crops and horticultural produce alongside traditional crops, with greater emphasis on market demand, profitability and efficient use of land and water resources.
Chairman of the Students Teachers Engagement Program (STEP) Prof. Dr Muhammad Ismail Kumbhar said food security and climate change required a shift towards climate-resilient agriculture. He emphasized innovation, stronger agricultural value chains, the utilization of farm by-products and technologies that could increase productivity with limited land and water.
Salman Masood of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) said the FAO was working with institutions and local communities in Sindh to address food security challenges arising from drought and natural disasters and promote climate-smart agricultural practices.
IFST Director Prof. Dr Aijaz Hussain Soomro said food insecurity and malnutrition remained major challenges, particularly in developing countries, despite an increase in global food production. He identified climate change, economic inequality, supply-chain disruptions, food waste and unequal access to nutritious food as key barriers to food security.
Dr Shehzor Gul Khaskheli and Dr Tahseen Fatima Miano also spoke on the occasion. Dean Dr. Ghiasuddin Shah Rashdi, Dean Dr. Abdul Mebeen Lodhi, Allah Bachayo Memon, Dr Asia Akbar Panhwar, Mir Muhammad Ali Talpur and other officials attended the event.
On the occasion, a food exhibition and poster competition was also held, with prizes and cash awards sponsored by Lasefa Foods presented to successful students.
Source: APP (Associated Press of Pakistan)
