New UN initiative aims to increase food output

ISLAMABAD: A new initiative has been unveiled by the two UN agencies to offer member countries assistance in strategic planning, increasing food production and food safety.

The Food and Agri­culture Organisation and the Inter­national Atomic Energy Agency announced the new initiative called ‘Atoms4Food’ that will bolster a response to the global need to achieve sustainable agrifood systems.

The initiative is well placed to provide member states with ground-breaking solutions — in areas ranging from cropping systems to natural resource management, tailored to their specific needs and circumstances, the FAO said.

The initiative will support countries to use innovative nuclear techniques in enhancing agricultural productivity, reducing food losses and ensuring safety, improving nutrition, and adapting to the challenges of climate change.