UPM launches Blueprint for food security

KUCHING: In playing a part to help the nation and the world with food security related issues, the Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) recently launched its Blueprint for Food Security 2024.

UPM vice chancellor Datuk Prof Dr Ahmad Farhan Mohd Sadullah said that the Blueprint launched on June 7 is also relevant to any sector in agriculture.

“The Blueprint is well aligned to the national related policies and strategies, the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) principles for food security, and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).

“It upholds the principles of UPM’s Strategic framework, commonly known as the ‘True-North’ framework, and is part of the Putra acronym – ‘Pertanian Untuk Rakyat’ or Agriculture for the People agenda,” he said.

He said this at the Congress on Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security (COSAFS) 2024 closing ceremony held at Parkcity Everly Hotel in Bintulu on Friday (July 12).

Ahmad further said there are three outcomes aspired through three core elements and supported by six enablers.

“In order for the UPM community to find their role for food security, a plethora of strategic items with suggested initiatives have been tabulated in the blueprint for each of the above.

“The discussion will be based on four strategic goals, namely to increase food productivity besides improving food quality, improving the quality of environment, and improving the quality of life,” he said.

He hoped that the Blueprint will provide the platform for UPM to be the champion International Humanitarian Law (IHL) for food security and shall bring the desired impact for the nations and global food security agenda.

“UPM strives to strengthen its position as a research university through a consecutive transformation of research which has shaped academic excellence, innovation, and community engagement.

“Inspired by the accomplishment of research and innovation efforts across an extensive range of fields, UPM is committed to diversifying into science, agriculture, medicine, engineering, education, social sciences, and humanities,” he said.