Events such as expos and hackathons provide an active platform for expertsfrom diverse fields to come under one roof to exchange knowledge, share expertise and create awareness with the general public. These events not only create a bridge between industrialists, academics, and professionals, but also provide them the opportunity to make networking for the promotion of trade and businesses. Agriculture and livestock events are consistently organized around the globe. Italy, France, Canada, USA, China, Germany, UAE, and Thailand are the countries which regularly promote their agriculture sector by organizing different international expos and events to showcase their products, including farming/storage equipment, irrigation systems, livestock machinery, food processing equipment, livestock pharmaceuticals, processed food and much more. The key objective of these activities is to strengthen the agriculture sector and promote trade linkages between the countries. Food security events help identify the limitations and challenges of the current era by providing a scope for learning and adaptation to new trends and technologies. Afghanistan, which is greatly benefiting from such events, regularly participates in multi food events to promote its agriculture sector and boost its trade with the world. In the FoodExpo Kazakhstan, formerly known as WorldFood Kazakhstan, at least 12 Afghan businessmen showcased their fresh produce, comprising of dry fruits, spices, and fresh fruits. In this expo, they secured a good deal with Kazakhstan and India. Following the success, the Afghan traders further participated in Gulfood Manufacturing Event in Dubai and secured confirmed deals worth $2.51 million in 2021. It may be mentioned that the USAID assisted the Afghan farmers and private sector to ensure their integration with the global markets. The Afghan government itself organize similar type of exhibitions. International Exhibition of Food, Food Technology and Agriculture, a 4-day event, was hosted at the International Exhibitions Center of Kabul, Afghan Products EXPO 2022 by Barak Food Products was organized in Herat and Local Food Exhibition 2023 was held in Parwan. These are some of the prime examples that reflect Afghan traders’ interest in food security. Likewise, Pakistan also organizes food, agricultural and livestock events. Food Expo (Lahore) organized by the Punjab Food Authority, and International Food & Agriculture Expo 2023 (Karachi) are the key events during 2023, which connected foreign delegates, regulators, and media personnel from 55 countries. The aim of these expos was to devise a strategy to ensure a sustainable future. Companies from all over the world participated in the three-day International Poultry Expo (Lahore). The expo showcased a diverse range of agricultural and farm management equipment followed by seminars to educate the public regarding the latest research. Such events are very significant for promoting the poultry industry of Pakistan as they provide opportunities for the domestic businesses to showcase their products and services at broader scale. The upcoming Food Security Hackathon on 17th and 18 November 2023 by Sustainable Development Policy Institute being held in collaboration with The Canada Fund for Local Initiatives will engage incubation centers, accelerators, startups, agriculture sector firms, and academia. The stakeholders will present innovative ideas and out-of-box thinking to resolve food security concerns of Pakistan and promotion of trade in agriculture and food between Afghanistan and Pakistan. The hackathon will help policy makers achieve SDG-2 (Zero Hunger) related targets in both the countries that are faced with devasting floods, climate change, and security issues.
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