The Faculty of Pharmacy at AAU Participates in a Seminar on Food Security

Dr. Mohammad Yaseen, Head of the Science Department at the Faculty of Pharmacy at our AAU, participated as a speaker in a scientific seminar focused on food security and its challenges. In his presentation, Dr. Yaseen highlighted the importance of legumes as a primary source of plant-based protein for millions of people, especially in developing countries. Dr. Yaseen pointed out that achieving a healthy diet remains a distant dream for nearly three billion people, as legumes are often cultivated in marginal lands that suffer from climate change effects, such as rising temperatures and drought. These conditions can lead to production losses of up to 50%, particularly under extreme drought. He also discussed the efforts of the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA) to develop legume varieties that withstand harsh climate conditions, focusing on traits like early growth and water-use efficiency. The seminar also examined the impact of climate change on the nutritional composition of legumes, noting significant reductions in iron, zinc, and protein levels in lentils. Thus, developing varieties capable of facing these challenges while preserving nutritional quality has become an urgent need. The seminar concluded with a call to intensify research and development efforts to offer innovative solutions that support food security and help farmers adapt to climate changes.