Experts call for policy reforms to overcome deepening food crisis

KU seminar on World Food Day stresses modern farming, waste reduction, and healthier dietary habits

KARACHI: Pakistan’s deepening food crisis, coupled with rising unhealthy dietary trends and waste of agricultural produce, reflects an urgent need for bringing policy reforms and modernisation in the sector, experts cautioned at a World Food Day seminar organised by the University of Karachi.

Speaking at the event, KU Vice Chancellor Professor Dr Khalid Mahmood Iraqi said that although Pakistan is known as an agricultural country, it still depends on food imports because of poor planning and outdated farming practices. He urged the adoption of modern technologies and stronger linkages between academia and industry to boost productivity, reduce post-harvest losses, and make the food system more resilient and nutrition-focused.

In addition, Prof Iraqi noted that academic institutions, especially those linked to agriculture, should align their curricula with industry demands to meet contemporary challenges—a commendable and progressive step.

“Pakistan’s food and agriculture sector holds immense potential for growth if guided by sound planning and collaboration between public and private institutions,” said Dr Pedro Andres Garzon Delvaux, Programme Manager at the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO). He noted that as the country rapidly urbanises, the crops sector offers significant economic opportunities with strong multiplier effects, but its success depends on innovation, investment in infrastructure, and effective policy implementation.

The KU Department of Food Science and Technology (DFST) had organised the seminar, wherein its Chairman Dr Abdul Haq stated that post-harvest losses in Pakistan were up to 30 per cent, against developed countries where the rate was around 10 per cent or less, attributing it to inefficiency and inadequate infrastructure.

According to him, Brazil processes approximately 70–80 per cent of its oranges into juice, while Pakistan processes only about three per cent of its fruits into juice or jam. “The global horticulture trade is valued at around US$80 billion, yet Pakistan’s share is merely US$130 million (approximately 0.16 per cent).”

Dr Abdul Haq stressed that there is vast potential for growth through value addition, highlighting that countries like Turkiye and Iran are prominent exporters of dried fruits, and Thailand has built a major canned pineapple industry—models that Pakistan could adopt for its own crops.

Associate Professor at DFST, Dr Syed Muhammad Ghufran Saeed, highlighted that Pakistan is facing a severe food crisis, and unhealthy dietary trends have become a public health alarm.

According to him, a significant lack of balance in the Pakistani diet due to four elements—sugar, saturated fats, trans fats, and salt— is directly harmful to health. Dr Ghufran revealed that the annual per capita fat consumption in Pakistan is between 22 to 24 kilogrammes, one of the highest levels globally.

“This imbalance contributes to high blood pressure, cardiovascular diseases, and other non-communicable illnesses, increasing the health burden and negatively impacting the economy.”

KU Dean of the Faculty of Science, Professor Dr Musarrat Jahan Yousuf, said: “World Food Day reminds us that improvement in food safety, production processes, or nutrition research enhances the value of our national food system.”

Professor Dr Nusrat Jabeen from the Department of Microbiology also addressed the seminar.

Report courtesy: Social Track, Karachi.

Photos courtesy: KU