Peshawar, 16 Oct 2023: In a recent cross-sectoral seminar for World Food Day, PepsiCo collaborated with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations (UN) to advocate for sustainable water use in agriculture. Hosted at the University of Agriculture in Peshawar, the event was themed, “Water is life, water is food. Leave no one behind.”
This seminar not only centered on the Living Indus Initiative but also aimed at amplifying public consciousness regarding global hunger, water preservation via regenerative agriculture, and ensuring food security for everyone. Among the participants were academics, specialists from various industries, agricultural experts, and notable delegates from the World Food Programme (WFP), UN Women, and the Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP).
Haseeb Malik, PepsiCo Pakistan’s Director of Agriculture Operations, emphasized the corporation's dedication to food security during his speech. Malik spoke about the revitalization of the Indus Basin, fostering sustainable agricultural practices, and assisting farming communities, with an emphasis on women. Highlighting PepsiCo Pakistan's commitment, Malik mentioned efforts towards sustainable water management, encompassing educating farmers about sustainable water usage for crops and PepsiCo's broader initiatives for water conservation. Furthermore, he noted that the aspirations of the Living Indus Initiative align with the pep+ (PepsiCo Positive) global sustainability goals of PepsiCo, aiming for an agricultural system advantageous for both the environment and its inhabitants.
The interconnection between the Indus River and the region’s farming potential was the focus of Mr. Farrukh Toirov, the FAO’s Head of Office in KP. He accentuated the importance of water in agriculture and food security, underscoring the necessity of prudent water management for fostering sustainable agriculture, such as the initiatives embodied by the Living Indus Initiative. In his perspective, adopting this strategy bolsters resilience against climatic adversities and guarantees access to nutritious food for everyone.
A pivotal discussion led by Dr. Rizwan Ahmed, Registrar University of Agriculture, Peshawar, saw participation from esteemed panelists including Dr. Abdul Bari, Dr. Jan Mohammad, Zainab Qaiser Khan, and Louis Sowe. Their discourse revolved around the prominent challenges facing Pakistan's agricultural future, particularly in the KP region, and how the propagation of knowledge and technology can mitigate these issues.
The discourse also saw panellists delving into supporting equitable water access for marginalized farmers, promoting sustainable agricultural practices led by women for food security, confronting climate change for agricultural fortitude, and the empowerment of women and youth for a comprehensive agricultural framework. The seminar's primary intention is to delineate a pathway for a robust and inclusive agricultural outlook in Pakistan by synthesizing diverse perspectives and innovative solutions. This press release was sourced from the PepsiCo.