Dutch food security expert visits RCCI, urges cooperation in food sector

RAWALPINDI, April 5: A delegation of food experts headed by Renate Pors, Deputy Head of Netherlands Embassy visited Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) here on Tuesday.
Romke Wustman, a world-class Dutch food security expert was also accompanied with her. Acting president RCCI, Saqib Rafiq, Vice President Muhammad Aqil Obaid, members of the executive committee and a large number of traders were also present on this occasion.
Addressing the meeting, Renate Pors said that the Netherlands has a lot of expertise and solutions to offer Pakistan when it comes to food security. She said that food production is not the only aspect of food security.
A crop is harvested in one season but must be used through the year. Food produced in one region can be consumed in another region. The Netherlands has expertise in various aspects of agricultural productivity, technologies and solutions which we are sharing with key stakeholders through these discussions.
Renate Pors expressed the commitment of Netherlands government on food security. Food security is a worldwide issue including Pakistan. She mentioned that one out of six children dies of malnutrition and every night one billion people go to bed hungry around the globe.
She informed the audience that in the Netherlands we have a successful agricultural production and we are exporting seed and agricultural technology and solutions to other countries and Pakistan can take benefit if its expertise. Increasing production, providing packaging, storage and transport solutions and innovations are our expertise, she added.
Romke Wustman said that there is a need to build up local seed production which will only happen with the involvement of the private sector. Sustainability and competitive pricing are achieved through private sector activity. – DNA