Leading international food and beverage company PepsiCo Pakistan participated in the cross-sectoral seminar organized by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations (UN) at the University of Agriculture in Peshawar to commemorate World Food Day. The seminar focused on the Living Indus Initiative as well as highlighting the theme of World Food Day 2023, “Water is life, water is food. Leave no one behind,” aiming to raise awareness about food security, sustainable agriculture, and the fight against global hunger and poverty. Senior representatives from World Food Programme (WFP), UN Women, PepsiCo, and the Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) as well as academics were in attendance.
The Living Indus Initiative is an extensive effort with the goal of restoring the ecological balance of the Indus River Basin, primarily within the Pakistani territory. The effort is focused on building a more resilient agricultural system that benefits both people and the environment, which is in line with PepsiCo’s worldwide pep+ (PepsiCo Positive) sustainability agenda.
Mr. Farrukh Toirov, FAO’s Head of Office in KP, emphasized the correlation between the powerful Indus River and the region’s agricultural prospects. He highlighted the importance of water in agriculture and food security, and the need for responsible and effective water management to assist sustainable agriculture through projects such as the Living Indus Initiative. This method promotes resilience in the face of climate change and guarantees that all people have access to balanced and nutritious food.
Dr. Rizwan Ahmed, Registrar University of Agriculture, Peshawar led the main thought leadership panel discussion. Panelists included Dr. Abdul Bari, Director General Agriculture Research, Government of KP, Dr. Jan Mohammad, Director General, Agriculture Extension, Zainab Qaiser Khan, Head of UN Women Sub Office in KP and Louis Sowe, Head of WFP in KP. They highlighted significant issues that held the key to Pakistan’s food security and agricultural solutions, in particular the future of KP’s agriculture. Panelists also mentioned ensuring equitable water access for small-scale farmers, sustainable farming practices championed by women for food security, battling climate change for agricultural resilience, and empowering women and youth for inclusive agriculture. By bringing together diverse perspectives and innovative ideas, this panel discussion aimed to chart a path towards a more resilient and inclusive agricultural landscape in Pakistan.
Haseeb Malik, Director of Agriculture Operations at PepsiCo Pakistan, focused on rehabilitating the Indus Basin, mainstreaming sustainable agriculture, and empowering farming communities, particularly women in his address. Mr. Malik emphasized PepsiCo Pakistan’s commitment to sustainable water management by providing farmers with knowledge and technology for sustainable water usage. He also pointed out their commitment to water conservation in firm operations and communities. He particularly noted that the Living Indus Initiative’s scope coincides with PepsiCo’s worldwide pep+ (PepsiCo Positive) sustainability goal and aspirations for establishing a more resilient agricultural system that benefits both people and the planet.
