Sustainable food production is vital for maintaining healthy ecosystems, improving water and soil quality, and promoting climate change mitigation, according to experts.
Experts asserted this point at the “Food Forward: National Multistakeholder Dialogue on Food Systems and NDCs” organized by WWF-Pakistan in Islamabad on Wednesday. They emphasized the need for stakeholder engagement, better planning, and effective implementation mechanisms to achieve these goals.
The workshop focused on discussing the current status and mainstreaming of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) related to agriculture and food systems in Pakistan. It introduced the “Food Forward NDCs,” an interactive, web-based platform offering evidence-backed policy options tailored to country-specific priorities within food systems.
Rab Nawaz, Senior Director of Conservation at WWF-Pakistan, highlighted the vulnerability of Pakistan’s agriculture to climate change. He stressed the need to transform food systems to meet population needs and promote healthy diets. Nawaz also pointed out that the Food Forward NDCs toolkit provides actionable policy recommendations for food production and consumption. He further emphasized empowering women by ensuring legislation that grants them formal rights to land and water and includes them in decision-making processes.
Arif Goheer, Head of Agriculture at the Global Change Impact Study Center and NDCs Focal Point in Pakistan, called for setting enhanced targets for key sectors and determining provincial commitments in upcoming NDCs. He recommended conducting comprehensive financial analyses to achieve these targets, including quantifying losses and damage, and mobilizing capital through innovative financing mechanisms.
Nazifa Butt, Head of Climate and Energy at WWF-Pakistan, noted the importance of mainstreaming NDCs into Pakistan’s key climate-sensitive sectors. She stressed the need to explore new avenues and opportunities to transform food systems in response to changing climatic needs and drastic events.
The workshop featured demonstrations of the “NDCs Food Forward Tool” and interactive sessions with experts and participants. It recommended formulating NDCs that integrate policy measures focusing on food environment and governance, food production, food supply chains, and food consumption in Pakistan. The event was attended by government officials, food scientists, and experts from international and national organizations.