Climate change is perhaps the greatest long-term challenge to farming, the increasing frequency of droughts and floods, changing rainfall patterns, steadily increasing surface temperatures and extreme weather phenomena will make food production increasingly difficult. And in next two decades the demand for food will rise by 70 percent. In the scenario Environmentally sustainable farming will be the key factor to ensure that we do not harm nature & starve ourselves.

This issue was discussed the Third Global Forum of Innovations in Agriculture that was opened yesterday [16-Feb-16], a two day event organized at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, Abu Dhabi. The event will gather experts, investors, suppliers and academia from across the world to ponder over how the innovation can increase food production in arid and semi-arid areas and to tackle with excess global demand for food products.

In this scenario, the food wastage becomes an important subject. In UAE lot of food is wasted in households, restaurants & in big gatherings. Worldwide where millions sleep hungry the wastage of food is atrocious. Food wastage is as important as food security. It is crucial to educate people about not wasting food from a kindergarten age. Awareness must be raised about the impact of food waste. Education should be provided both to children and to adults, especially in a society where food is plenty and one tends not to think about the countries where food losses are occurring.

The waste food may first be offered at a discount or free to the needy & upon expiry may be turned into compost or as manure for agriculture. Recycling is the best option here.

I wish to give a befitting example of Mr Nauman Shakoor, who runs Best Kitchen, an Indian restaurant in Mussaffah. Its near to a massive labour camp at the outskirts of Abu Dhabi. They make sure to distribute the remaining food among labourers, either for free or at minimal cost. They sure that they were not selling low-quality or expired, or rotten food to the workers.

This and others viable & sustainable solutions must be found to tackle the Food waste & subsequent insecurity worldwide.

Do not waste food. Think. Eat. Save.