World Kitchen Garden Day 2014

Oxfam’s latest survey, published on August 3, include Pakistan among the 21 nations facing food crisis due to high and volatile food prices. The survey also says 36 percent of the people in Pakistan are undernourished.

“Nearly two-thirds (120 million) of the population spends between 50 and 70 percent of their income on food, making them vulnerable to rising prices,” the survey reports about Pakistan. The conclusion of this Oxfam’s report is interestingly just contrary to the thinking of the top rulers in Pakistan, who boast to have brought a revolutionary change in the economic condition of the country. 

Food prices, according to the global report of the British international NGO, have hovered near an all-time peak since late 2010 sending tens of millions of people into poverty. Oxfam’s new interactive map shows how poor communities across the world are being hurt by high and volatile food prices. This ‘food price pressure points map’ provides a global snapshot of the impacts of the global food price crisis.

This report includes Pakistan among those 21 countries, which are facing the worrisome phenomenon of price hike. “The high food prices have crunched incomes for poor people and helped to spark instability and violence around the world,” the report quotes Jeremy Hobbs, executive director of Oxfam. (Ansar Abbasi, Saturday, August 06, 2011. The News)

It’s a report from past and what do you think about the present….. Yes! It is not so different than the past.

As a Nation, we are currently facing a range of serious challenges. We may still continue to blame each other and lot has been said and written on these problems and issues. But fact of the matter is that in spite of some efforts by relevant stake holders by public and private sector organizations, the situation is still not improving. While all this is happening around us, what are we all are doing as a nation? Just listening to what is next, and waiting for a miracle to happen…. 

Wait a minute! We all are not doing it...

There are some personalities among us, who don’t only believe in miracles but also create and promote the miracles.

One of the miraculous place is the Qadir Bakhsh Farms, FSD where Mr. Tariq Tanveer creates miracles with the help of God gifted intellectual mentality. He is the CEO of the said place and founder of Agri-Tourism Development Corporation of Pakistan. This year in the continuity of the

A child is reading the Kitchen Gardening booklet

betterment of the society, Mr. Tariq Tanveer once again gave a chance to connecting people through Food, Farms & Education. 24 August, 2014 the World Kitchen Garden Day was organized under the banner of Agri-Tourism Development Corporation of Pakistan. The Agri. Education Pakistan got the honor to be co-organizer along with Agri. Hunt. The Silver Spoon Plus Restaurant, FSD was selected as venue.  A huge number of public from different backgrounds and age class, join for celebrate the veggie day. The eminent scientists and experts were served the public as trainer and speaker. The almost 250 participants, including children attended the technical session. The students from Karachi University also gave us honor by joining us.

The event was sponsored by Alhamra Textile Mills FSD to encourage the nature lovers. The salient objectives of the event were not just to encourage the public to eat the healthy food but also to encourage them to grow and eat their own food as it’s the philosophy of kitchen gardening. The participants were encouraged to adopt Kitchen Gardening as an entrepreneurship. The pro

Dr. Allah Daad Khan Addressing the public

gram started at 9 a.m. with the inaugural speech of Mr. Tariq Tanveer. Afterward, the experts delivered lectures on very interesting topics regarding Kitchen Gardening. The first presentation on "How to save excess vegetables and its value addition" was delivered by Dr. Shahid Niaz (Director Vegetable Ayub Agriculture Research Institute Faisalabad Pakistan), Second presentation on "Need of Edible Landscape" was delivered by Lieutenant Colonel (R) Afzal Husain (Horticulturist at PMO Texla), The third presentation on "Why use of organic food" was delivered by representative of Dr. Aysha Ramzan (President Nutrition Care Association of Pakistan), the fourth Dr. Allaha Dad Khan (Gold Medalist) Former Director Gener

DCO, FSD. Mr. Noor-ul-Ameen

al Agriculture Extension Khyber Pakhtunkhwa delivered a very informative lecture on "organic Production of home growing vegetables and medico kitchen plants". The honorable guests; worthy DCO, FSD Mr. Noor-ul-Ameen, Mian Iddress (Chairman Sitara Group of Industries), Dr. Zafar Iqbal (Principal, College of Agriculture, University of Sargodha), Mr. Q

Agri. Education Pakistan at work!

amar Aftab (Director Faisalabad Industrial Estate Development & Management Company, Vice Chairman Pakistan Hosiery Manufacturers Association, CEO Image Garments (Pvt) Ltd), Professor Naseer Ahmad Cheema (Former Director, Colleges FSD) Maroof Sadique(K&N's Karachi), Dr. Muhammad Afzal (Director, Punjab Forestry Research Institute, FSD) Mr. Ch. Muslim (Professor PFI Pakistan Forest Institute Peshawar), Dr. Imtiaz Oujla (Director, Department of Plant Protection & Plant Quarantine), Mr. Mustaq Chugtai (Punjab Forest Dept. Okara), Mr. Ch. Muhammad Anwer (EDO Agriculture, Sahiwal. President, Horticulture Society of Shekhupura), Mr. Atiq Raja (Chairman, Pakistan Youth Council. President,

Mr. Safeer Jafrey, Mr. Tariq Tanveer & Mr. Mustufa Malik
during the event

Eagles Foundation, Hyderabad). Waheed Khaliq Raamay (Chairman Council of Loam Owner Association, FSD) Mr. Ch. Yaquab (PHA LHR), Brigadier Ishaq, General Rashid Javid, The famous journalist Mr. Mustafa Malik (Media Coordinator, World Kitchen Garden Day), Mr. Tariq Tufail (Writer, Media Coordinator, Agri-Tourism Development Corporation of Pakistan), Mr. Ikhlaq Khan (Eminent Mushroom Farming Expert), Mr. Niaz (Director, PHA, LHR) Mr. Muhammad Safeer Abbas Jafrey (Founder/President Agri. Education Pakistan), Dr. Shuqat Ali (Professor, UAF. Chairman Agri. Hunt), Mr. Haroon Hemani (Blogger, Karachi), Mr. Qasim Sadiqui and Kashif Fareed (Press Club Faisalabad) also addressed the public. The gift of fruit plants were distributed among participants by Agri. Hunt.

His Excellency, Dr. Khalid Mehmood Shouq (Chief Editor, Veterinary News & Views) appreciated the organizing team for organizing such a successful event. And in the near future with the blessings of ALLAH Almighty Qadir Bakhsh Farm is ready to touch a new height of sky with it's alliance. So, start waiting to see a new miracle. 

The Agri. Education Pakistan's Team at World Kitchen Garden Day 2014

For More Pictures From the Event Please Click Here: Agri. Education Pakistan/Event Pictures