Speakers at an international conference on Monday warned of worsening crises of food and nutrient insecurity , health and environment issue amid changing climate if tangible steps are not taken . They were addressing an inaugural session of the three-day International Conference on chemistry, bio chemistry and bio technology at Iqbal Auditorium, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad. UAF Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan was the chief guest while Islamia University of Bahawalpur former Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Muhammad Mukhtar, Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi former Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Khalid Mehmood Khan, Prof Dr Khalil-ur-Rehman, Prof Dr Asghar Bajwa, Prof Dr Abdul Kauar Malik, Prof Dr Amir Jamil and other notables also spoke on the occasion.

Prof Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan urged young scientists to come up with innovative ideas to fight the challenges. He said that at the time, nutrient deficiency was the real challenge for which we have to enhance the efforts. He said that since 1947, the population of the country had increased five times while the agri production had also jacked up manifold. “But it is not enough, we have a long way to achieve the goal of food and nutrient security and avert future challenges,” he added. He also said university takes pride in having a full range of bio system for which biochemistry is absolutely pivotal. There is the need of steps to root out the nutrition deficiency. He said that new concept is taking roots is one health to ensure nutritious food which is balanced in calories and other intakes. He asked the biochemistry people to guide how to make one health program successful.

Prof Dr Muhammad Mukhtar said that bio tech must be made the part of the school education. He said that pollution was playing havoc with the lives of the people and bio chemistry was playing a vital role to address the issue. Prof Dr Khalid Mehmood Khan said chemical industry in the county was not up to mark and there were gaps that should be fulfilled by the chemical scientists with enhanced efforts in this regard. He stressed the need to strengthen ties between the scientists and industry by saying “the collaborative and trust building are essential for the development that must be cemented”. Prof Dr Khalil Ur Rehman said that the conference will set the path for chemistry and bio chemistry scientists for enhanced role in the safer enlivenment and food security . He said biochemistry is a demand driven discipline. If we look at number of application submitted for admission, he said these are progressively growing .

Asghar Bajwa said that today half of the campus is engaged in some form of biochemistry as it is a core discipline and there are reasons. He said that in the recent year, we have developed the international moots of chemistry and bio chemistry in 2014 and 2011. He also stressed upon the need to learn the modern tools and techniques to compete with the rest of th world Prof Dr Amir Jamil said that the conference was aimed to bringing together the scientists and researchers on a platform where they can provide solutions for the safer environment and better nutrient food.