Food security: The role of youth

I am Shah Khalid, a Ph.D. scholar in Agronomy at the University of Agriculture, Peshawar, Pakistan. 

I am very glad to share my story on my journey with YPARD Pakistan. Last month, I have received a call from Prof. Dr. Muhammad Arif, who told me about Ms. Shahla Salahuddin, YPARD Pakistan Country Representative. Ms. Salahuddin introduced a conference co-organized by YPARD to us and we (along with my team members, Ms. Nadia and Mr. Mujeeb Ur Rahman) decided to participate in the two days international conference on “Strategies for Ensuring Food Security in the Changing Climate” as YPARD delegates. 

The conference was organized at the University of Agriculture Peshawar, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, from October 23 to 24, 2019. YPARD Pakistan was one of the collaborators of the conference. Participants, including speakers, from many national and international organizations like Pakistan Science Foundation, sustainable land management project-II Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Food and Agriculture Organization and YPARD came together to discussed one of the biggest challenges for the 21st century to ensure the global food supply. 

Young researchers, scientists and industry leaders announced their commitment to food security strategy as climate change. During this conference, we have promoted YPARD through posters, flyers and presentations to the conference participants, including students of Agriculture University Peshawar, who were coming from the various parts of the country. 

We conducted a questions and answers session with the audience about climate change, food security, food waste, and youth as key agents for change. We learned a lot about the current challenges of food security and the role of youth in food security through a discussion panel on the second day while YPARD members got the opportunity to sit with seniors and share about our program “the role of youth in solving challenges”. 

It was an amazing experience for the team of YAPRD regional members (Nadia and Mujeeb ur Rahman) from KPK, and we are proud to be a part of this greater international movement that values diversity, empowers youth and open minds of young people worldwide. 

In short, we believe that YPARD Pakistan is an incredible platform for young professionals in the field of agriculture. I am sure it will provide an opportunity for young scholars across the country to contribute their efforts to agricultural development and food sustainability.

We are looking forward to supporting and representing YPARD at province level and arranged different seminars and workshops to encourage the youth to participate in youth awareness initiatives to play their role to make this planet a good place of living. 

Photo credit: Shah Khalid