Islamabad, Dec 2: Up to half of Pakistan’s population may face food insecurity by 2030, according to experts, who warn of an impending food crisis. The Institute for Global Health and Development (IGHD), in partnership with the Sustainable Development Solutions Network Pakistan (SDSN), organized a two-day conference on “Climate Change, Agriculture, Human Nutrition, and Development in Pakistan” during which the warning was made.
Ninety percent of Pakistan’s agricultural output depends on the delicate Indus River system, according to Professor Dr. Zulfiqar Bhutta of Aga Khan University (AKU). He cautioned that the nation is on the verge of experiencing acute food shortages due to glacial melting and unpredictable weather patterns.
Malnutrition and the disproportionate effects of climate change on women, who make up a large share of the agricultural workforce but have little decision-making responsibilities, were other issues brought up by experts.
The Higher Education Commission’s chairman, Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed, revealed intentions to create a nationwide platform that would bring together specialists in food security, agriculture, and health to work together to address climate concerns. Solutions like biotechnology to increase food yields and affordable climate investments to reduce hazards were suggested by other experts.
Dr. Bhutta stressed the importance of proactive tactics and called for swift response. “To ensure a sustainable future, addressing climate change necessitates evidence-based strategies and creative partnerships,” he said.
