TEHRAN – The Vice Presidency for Science and Technology plans to implement 50 national projects to increase food security, IRNA reported on Saturday.

The world is moving towards food insecurity, which is closely related to the physical and mental security of society, so all countries have taken steps to make this strategic concept one of the priorities.

However, experts believe that the phenomenon is lurking more in developing countries, so they should formulate and implement strategic policies for the development of their food security.

Most countries are trying to compensate for the reduction of natural and food resources with the help of technologies such as nanotechnology, biotechnology, and other emerging technologies.

Iran is planning to deal with the issue by creating and expanding the ecosystem of technology, knowledge, and creativity in the food industry. Knowledge-based companies are also known as the main players in this field, who can save the country from future crises.

In this line, the Biotechnology Development Headquarters will implement 50 national projects in the three fields of “agriculture and horticulture”, “livestock, poultry and aquatics”, and “food industries” aiming to save foreign exchange, increase production and develop the local market in the country.

Out of 50, some 7 projects are related to agriculture and horticulture, 38 to livestock, poultry, and aquatics, and 5 projects are related to the food industry, which will be implemented.

Technology upgrades in food

The Vice Presidency for Science and Technology has on its agenda the implementation of five national plans for the production of food products with the help of biological technologies.

The food industry is one of the most strategic industries that has been developed with the help of biological technologies in recent years, an area that is not only related to food provision but also has an effective role in the health and safety of society. 

According to the latest statistics, 265 companies are active in the field of agriculture, biotechnology, and the food industry and have produced knowledge-based products.

Some 270 national projects have been developed to improve the quality of food and agricultural products with the help of biotechnology in the country, in addition to reducing production costs.

Iran tops the region in food security

Iran is the leading country in the region in all health indicators, including food security, Health Minister Bahram Einollahi announced at the World Food Day conference at the Iran University of Medical Sciences.

Unsafe food causes 200 diseases from mild illnesses to cancers, he further lamented.

Every year, about 600 million people in the world are harmed by contaminated and unsafe food, and this means that one out of every 10 people in the world is harmed by this issue.

He emphasized the important role of food in preventing non-communicable diseases and added that $110 billion are spent annually in the world to treat diseases caused by contaminated food.

FB/MG