Speakers at a conference called for joint efforts to address issues of food and nutrient insecurity, health and environment in order to face up to worsening challenges,. They were addressing an concluding session of three-day International Conference on Bio-Chemistry and Bio-Technology and Bio-Material at Iqbal Auditorium, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad. UAF Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan was the chief guest while Pakistan Council for Sciences and Technology (PCST) Chairman Dr Anwar-ul-Hassan was the guest of honor.

PMAS Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi former Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Khalid Mehmood Khan, Dean Faculty of Sciences Prof Dr Muhammad Javed, Dr Khalil-ur-Rehman, Dr Asghar Bajwa, Dr Amir Jamil and other notables also spoke on the occasion. Prof Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan urged the researchers and stakeholders to play their effective role in the daunting issue of the malnutrition that is hitting the 50 percent of population. He also said that climate changes were posing the serious concern for the mankind. Environment-friendly technologies need to be adopted to save the future generation. Otherwise, the crisis will worsen. He was of the view that the since 1947, the population of the country had increased five times while agri production had also enhanced manifold. “But it is not enough, we have a long way to achieve the goal of food and nutrient security”.

Dr Anwar-ul-Hassan said urged the researches to come up with the solution to the common man. He said that in the west, the strong academia-industry is the secret of progress for which we have to take the measures. He showed his concern that our cotton production had declined 35 percent. Our 65 percent export was based on cotton some years ago while now 55 percent of the exports was depending upon cotton. He stressed upon the need to introduce new varieties of cotton resistant to diseases and climate changes., Prof Dr Muhammad Javed stressed the need to strengthen ties between the scientists and industry. He urged the scientist to provide the solutions to the problems of the farming community. Prof Dr Khalid Mehmood Khan called for introducing the new varieties keeping in view the changing climate. He said that adoption of modern agricultural practice will increase the per acre production. Prof Dr Khalil Ur Rehman said the country was blessed with a lot of talents. There is the need to explore it. He called for learning the modern tools and techniques to compete with the rest of the world Dr Asghar Bajwa said that 900 people across the country participated in the conference. He said the researches should not be piled up in the library. It must be reached to address the problems of a common man. Prof Dr Amir Jamil said that the moot was meant for providing a platform to the scientists and researchers where they can provide solutions to face up to the challenges.