International conference on food security in dry lands kicks off

Under the auspices of the Heir Apparent, His Highness, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the International Conference on Food Security in Dry Lands (FSDL) kicked off here on Wednesday . The two-day event is organised by Qatar National Food Security Programme (QNFSP) in collaboration with a group of national institutions and other regional and international organisations including several Platform members, namely the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the World Bank (WB) and the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), as well as the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the International Centre for Agricultural Research in Dry Areas (ICARDA), the Qatar Environment & Energy Research Institute (QEERI) of Qatar Foundation, the Arab Water Council and the Centre for International and Regional Studies (CIRS) of Georgetown University. Addressing the opening session, Qatar University President HE Dr.Sheikha Abdullah Al-Misned said food security is one of the major causes outlining features of future development considering it an issue requiring multiparty strategy that deals with water shortage , climate changes , agricultural productivity increase and the agro-economic policies hindering the access of individuals especially the poor to food. Dr. Sheikha Al Misned made clear that no matter how different the reasons for the lack of food between countries, their harmful and dangerous effects require joint action and cooperation between the research and academic, political and government institutions for the common interest. HE dr. Al-Misned has affirmed that Qatar University has placed its research potentials and scientific capabilities to support the Qatar National Food Security Programme (QNFSP) for the key role it plays for upgrading the percentage of self-efficiency and decreasing dependence on foreign imports .. “It is a difficult and vital target at the same time”, she said.