By Tony Iwuoma
Faculty of Agriculture, Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu Alike (AE-FUNAI) has called for papers for the third edition of its International Conference on Food Security and Hidden Hunger billed for October this year.
Hidden hunger denoteS a chronic lack of micronutrients – vitamins and minerals – whose effects may not be immediately apparent and whose consequences may be long-term and profound. These effects are actually “hidden” because typical signs and symptoms of severe deficiencies are absent as long as a small amount of the micronutrients is present in the diet. These bring about a huge health security challenge.
Food and Agriculture Organisation and World Health Organisation have reported that approximately two billion people globally suffer anaemia, as a result of iron deficiency, one billion suffer skin lesions and diarrhoea, as a result of zinc deficiency, 200 million suffer night blindness due to vitamin deficiency, and 750 million suffer goitre/cretinism due to iodine deficiency, etc.
The situation can become worsened by climate uncertainty, which is characterised by shifting rainfall patterns, increased desertification and warming temperatures. This threatens to decrease people’s ability to grow food sustainably in many parts of the developing world. It is becoming revealed that climate change may be playing an increasing negative role in setting natural nutrient levels of many foods.
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The conference, which will have different stakeholders in the food, nutrition and health sectors in attendance, is aimed at discussing, exchanging, and sharing knowledge and experiences on the Implications of Hidden Hunger on Nutrition and Health Security in the face of Climate change. It will also offer specific, measurable, actionable, relevant and time-bound recommendations for realizing formidable nutrition and health security with the view of ending all forms of hunger while proffering ways to contend with changing climate.
Many people may not know that rising levels of carbon dioxide (CO2) (the principal greenhouse gas) is expected to affect the nutritional value of many basic food crops. Important staples foods appear to be losing their nutritional value, with vitamin content, mineral and protein levels dropping measurably. This of course has widespread implications for the health and well-being of us all.
The theme of the conference is themed: Implications of Hidden Hunger on Nutrition and Health Security in the face of Climate change. There are also sub-themes, covering virtually all aspects of food and food production.
It will hold from Sunday, October 6, to Wednesday – 9th October 9, 2019.
