CG Indonesia Speaks On World Hunger Day In Karachi

KARACHI: Dr June Kuncoro Hadiningrat, the Consulate General (CG) of the Republic of Indonesia, recently spoke at a seminar hosted by the University of Karachi (KU) regarding World Hunger. 

The topic for the seminar was ‘Our Actions Are Our Future - Better Production, Better Nutrition, Better Environment And Better Life’, and it was organized by the Department of Food Science and Technology (DFST) at KU.

"Hunger is not only about undernourishment. It is also about having sustainable access to enough food, in quantity and quality, to meet the nutritional needs of people for a healthy life,” said Dr June.

“World Food Day is a global action to strengthen international and national solidarity in the fight to end poverty, malnutrition, and hunger. With such a challenging goal, we all need to work together. We need stronger policies and political commitment. We need to invest in nutrition and for nutrition. We need to walk hand-in-hand and build healthy and sustainable food systems.” He urged the attendees.

“Malnutrition in all its forms has a serious cost for individuals, families, communities, and countries. Poor quality diets have become the single largest contributor to the global burden of disease and early death. Today, we are reminded that the essence of food is much more than what was required in the past. It would be a key to the eradication of hunger and poverty.” The CG noted.

Dr June Kuncoro stated that food security and nutritional food are critical for a healthy and productive nation.

“It is crucial now, with wide-ranging disruptions in supply chains caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. We have to produce more food at an affordable price to meet the nutrient requirement of all citizens on the planet, including those left behind by economic growth, and of our children and future generations to come.” He concluded.

Meanwhile, Prof. Dr Khalid Mahmood Iraqi, Vice-Chancellor (VC) at KU, voiced that developing countries are more affected by the global food crisis.

“Although Pakistan is an agricultural country and we are somewhat self-sufficient in food, but we are not using modern technology, and that is why we often witness a shortfall of wheat, sugar, and other daily consuming items.” He observed,

The VC witnessed that one of the significant causes of malnutrition in Pakistan is the growing population, which needs time to be realized and addressed on an emergency basis.

He said that we have the best canal system in the world and its timely maintenance would help us overcome the water shortfall in the agriculture fields. Our moral duty is to play our national role in tackling malnutrition, stressing that people should follow the principles of hygiene while eating food as it is essential for a healthy life.

Another speaker, Dr Syed Mohammad Ghaffar Saeed, Assistant Professor (AP) at the DFST, said that the current world population is about six billion people, of which 700 million people are suffering from hunger and malnutrition.

He mentioned that 16 per cent of food is wasted while buying and selling, at processing stages, in restaurants, hotels, and homes, and 30 per cent of the food is wasted without consuming it, which is a matter of concern.

Meanwhile, Ali Suleiman Shaukat, President of the All Pakistan Restaurant Association (APRA), also spoke at the seminar. He mentioned that they are constantly striving to raise awareness about food waste awareness and distribute leftover food to various charities to reduce food waste in the restaurant industry.

The other speakers at the seminar included Salman Aslam, President of the Korangi Association of Trade and Industry; Saad Azeem, a leading Food Consultant; Waqar Alam, President of the World Poultry Association; Wasim Shamsi, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at Cornish Foods, Sheikh Tehseen, President of the Karachi Association of Suites and Namkoshi. Yousuf Usman, the Head of Research and Development at Unilever Pakistan; Dr Naeemullah Naeem, General Manager of the Popular Group and Fariha Sobhani, General Manager of Upfield, also addressed the event.

Earlier, Dr Shahina Naz, Chairperson at DFST, elaborated on the aims and objectives of the seminar organized on World Food Day while delivering the welcome address and said that holding such seminars regularly is creating awareness among the masses.

The department also arranged poster and product development competitions, food stalls, and free food samplings for students and visitors