President Pakistan addresses COMSTECH event on World Food Day

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President Arif Alvi addressing the session at COMSTECH Secretariat Islamabad.

Islamabad, 15 October 2021 (TDI): President of Pakistan, Dr. Arif Alvi, addressed the COMSTECH event on World Food Day 2021. COMSTECH is the Organization of Islamic Cooperation’s (OIC) Standing Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation.

The event was organized by COMSTECH and UK-based organizations SAWiE (Sustainable Agriculture, Water, and Intelligent Ecosystem) and UPSIGN (UK-Pakistan Science and Innovative Global Network) at COMSTECH Secretariat Islamabad on 14 October. The session aimed to raise awareness regarding food security. It also intended to enhance cooperation among the OIC member states in the food sector.

Speaking on the occasion, President Arif Alvi urged the Muslim countries to collaborate in the agriculture sector and share expertise in science and technology. He asked OIC states to make use of technological innovations to increase agricultural yield. Mr. President stated it is need of the hour to reduce the gap between farmers and technologists. He asked the member states to utilize new techniques, such as gene editing CRISPR-CASS tech, to develop new seeds.

Moreover, President Alvi said the world politicians must divert financial resources to the food sector rather than war. The provision of healthy food is becoming increasingly difficult keeping in view the growing global population. He asked the international community to make joint efforts in bringing hunger to an end.

In addition, President Arif Alvi advised COMSTECH to organize virtual meetings among representatives of OIC member states to facilitate hybrid socio-economic cooperation.
Ambassadors from nine OIC member states attended the session. Several agricultural scientists and farmers were also present on the occasion.

At the event, the SAWiE company also launched an app. The purpose of it is to assist the farmers in determining the health of their crops. It will also guide farmers in better management of crops and choosing the right quality seeds and fertilizers.