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Monday, May 23, 2011
Experts warn govt of famine threat in Pakistan
KARACHI: Biotechnology experts have cautioned the government of a widespread famine and hunger threat in the country saying that national sovereignty is linked to food security.
“We need wise and visionary leadership as with the massive population increase our nation is leading towards a widespread famine and hunger,” they said stating that the biotechnology approach for rapid agriculture development and healthcare cannot be ignored.
Speaking in a joint press conference at the International Centre for Chemical and Biological Sciences (ICCBS), University of Karachi (KU), Saturday evening, COMSTECH Adviser on Science Prof Dr Anwar Nasim and ICCBS Director Prof Dr M Iqbal Choudhary said that Pakistan is missing the opportunity of using biotechnology approach for rapid agricultural development and healthcare.
Due to backwardness in technology, the agricultural productivity of Pakistan is among the lowest in the world and no one seems to be worried about this. “Pakistan is faced with serious food security issues whereas Pakistan has no major investment in the field,” Dr Anwar said.
Prof Dr Choudhary said that to complement the efforts of Pakistan government, they have set up Pakistan biotechnology information centre at KU’s Latif Ebrahim Jamal National Science Information Centre. He said that there is a dire need to use biotechnology appropriately, which has the potential to provide healthier foods, reduce dependence on fossil fuel, and offers more effective cure of prevalent diseases.
Dr Saifullah Khan of ICCBS said that food insecurity can destroy any powerful country in the world; Russia is an example for us. He stressed the need for developing proper plan to handle the current situation prevailing in the country. ppi
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk