(By: Zafar Chishti)

FAISALABAD: The malnutrition is inflicting the loss of billions of rupees to national economy through decreased productivity, higher healthcare costs, and lost future earnings due to impaired physical development. For which, education and awareness about nutrition at the grassroots level will help address the issue at the massive scale for a healthy and prosperous nation.
It was stated by Punjab Higher Education Commission Chairperson Prof Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan while addressing a seminar on nutrition in a changing world: advancing science in food and nutrition organized by Pak Korea Nutrition Center, Faculty of Food Nutrition and Home Sciences, University of Agriculture Faisalabad. He said that changing food habit and lifestyle was aggravating the situation. He said despite the growth in population of 35 million in 1951 to 250 million in 2025, per capita calories has increased, thanks to the agricultural advancement. But the issue of malnutrition was taking a nasty turn due to poor eating habits and lack of awareness. He added that a vast numbers of the students does not take the breakfast that is area of concern. He was of view that steps being taken on the part of Pak Korea Nutrition Centre will bring the tangible results.
UAF Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Zulfiqar Ali said that 40 percent of the population was facing the malnutrition in the country that has emerged one of the largest crisis in the country. He called for ensuing healthy lifestyle, nutrition diet and workout. He added Pak-Korea Nutrition Center has been working on strengthening the capacity of healthcare professionals, promoting community-based initiatives, and advocating for policy development that support nutrition and health. He said that the university was pioneer to introduce the Human Nutrition and Dietetics program. He said that training being provided to school teachers, lady health workers and clinical dietitians.
Country Manager Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) Je Ho Yeon said PKNC reflects Pak Korea collaboration to work jointly on this sensitive issue. He said that such partnership and knowledge exchange will bring the tangible results in term of train manpower, research work, and other areas of mutual concerns. He said that nutrition education and community engagement would improve the nutrition statues in Pakistan.
Prof Dr Jaehan Kim Project Manager PKNC from Chungnum National University, Republic of Korea said that under PKNC, they were working on Nutritional Education System to ensure the sustainable delivered of nutrition education to final beneficiaries by developing Teaching Material, create online teaching materials for remote and digital learning, develop recipes using indigenous resources, policy recommendations and others. He said that the Project is meant for Sustainable and Self-Reliant Nutrition Improvement for Malnourished Children and Communities.
Dean Faculty of Food Nutrition and Home Sciences Dr Imran Pasha said that Pak Korea Nutrition Center (PKNC) is a flagship collaboration between the Government of Pakistan and the Republic of Korea to advance research and innovation in nutrition and Food Science. Through cutting-edge education at the University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF), we aim to bridge the gap between research and practical in food science and nutrition.
Central Project Director PKNC Dr Atif Randhawa said that under the project, they have developed awareness mobile apps including Survey App, Food Composition App, and Diet Planner . He said 35 Master Trainers were trained in South Kore whereas 9,717 frontline workers trained in Pakistan – impacting ~ 97,000 end beneficiaries whereas Research & start-up grants awarded to national scholars.
Progressive farmer Sarwat Malik, Director Home Sciences Dr Beenish Israr, FCCI President Farooq Yousuf Shiekh and other notables also spoke on the occasion.