KARACHI: Experts at the inaugural session of the three-day long international conference on ‘Sustainable Development: Halophytes for Green Revolution’ urged on the policies to adopt alternative solutions to tackle challenges of food insecurity in future.
The Institute of Sustainable Halophyte Utilization (ISHU) of the University of Karachi (KU), has organised second international conference at the Karachi University Business School (KUBS), KU, is scheduled from January 07 to 09.
One of the keynote speakers, Professor Dr Hans-Werner Koyro from Germany shared that people are getting older and requirement of getting good food is also getting higher and higher as the competition with food has increased over the years.
He informed that if one wants to work with salt resistance plants, then he or she must keep it in mind that it is not easy at all. There are around 2000 different types of halophytes around the world and still, the definition of halophyte is not clear. Some people even labelled potatoes, which is largely used as a regular food item, as halophyte. Hence, there is a dire need for research-based use of plants for saline agriculture. We believe, many local halophytes of saline habitats which are already salinity tolerant can be shaped as future crops through intense direction-based research.”
Professor Dr Hans-Werner added that many plants are already being used as food around the world and besides getting nutrition from such plants, there are many other benefits including biofuels which is not bad for the environment.
He observed that halophytes could also provide protection to the coastal lines and in some cases, Pakistan and other countries, are using plants as greenification as well. He advised that structurised work approach should be adopted while working on halophyte projects.
Meanwhile, UNESCO France Director Dr Miguel Clusener-Godt shared that it was his second visit to the country and Karachi University as well and was pleased to see how academia and scientific bodies are moving forward in the field of halophyte biology.
He observed that higher education institutes are taking interest in halophytes and spreading awareness and knowledge regarding the uses and benefits of halophytes. The youngsters are taking interest in the topic which is a very positive and good sign as they have to take over in future and this is the right time for them to learn and implement.