The Islamic Organization for Food Security (IOFS) delegation visited Pakistan from 19-20 February 2024, marking a significant step in fostering agricultural innovation and collaboration. In partnership with the University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF), the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR), and the International maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT), the IOFS organized the International Conference on Emerging Technologies for Crop Improvement. This gathering served as a platform for leading experts to convene and discuss strategies to enhance crop productivity, fortify nutrition, and promote sustainability through methodologies like biofortification, sustainable intensification, and the adoption of technologies such as genetically modified (GM) and hybrid crops.
During the symposium, Prof. Dr. Zulfiqar Ali, Director of Programs and Projects of the IOFS, highlighted critical food security challenges prevalent across the region of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), advocating for collaborative efforts to address malnutrition and improve food accessibility. Echoing this sentiment, Mrs. Makpal Bulatova, IOFS Program Manager, emphasized the crucial role of wheat as a staple crop in OIC diets and reaffirmed the commitment of the IOFS to enhancing wheat production through improved practices and technologies.
The conference witnessed valuable contributions from distinguished representatives of OIC Member States, including Dr. Sourour Ayed of INRAT Tunisia, Dr. Nazar Nurzoda from Tajikistan's Horticulture Institute, Dr. Khaled Ibrahem Mohamed Gad representing Egypt's Field Crops Research Institute, and Dr. Diyor Juraev from Uzbekistan. Each delegate shared insights into boosting wheat productivity and nutritional quality, enriching the collective understanding and fostering collaboration.
Following the conference, participants visited the wheat fields at the UAF campus, gaining firsthand exposure to agricultural innovation.
