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FAO Reference Centre for AMR & Aquaculture Biosecurity, Nitte (Deemed to be University) in association with Institution’s Innovation Council (IIC) and DST-Technology Enabling Centre organised a webinar to commemorate World Food Day 2026 on Friday, October 16, 2026 at 2.30 pm (IST).
The opening remarks for the webinar was delivered by Dr Konda Reddy Chavva, FAO Representative to India who briefed about role of FAO in ensuring food safety and also applauded the contributions of FAO Reference Centre, Nitte University towards research in AMR, Food safety and aquaculture. The webinar featured an eminent international speaker, Dr. Patrick Gerard Wall, former Chair of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and Emeritus Professor at the School of Public Health, University College Dublin, Ireland. He delivered a lecture on the theme “Innovate Today, Nourish Tomorrow,” highlighting the importance of innovation in strengthening food safety, improving food systems and ensuring sustainable food security. He highlighted the challenges faced by agrifood sector such as climate change, pests and diseases, and postharvest losses and emphasised the importance of innovation in building resilient and sustainable food systems to meet emerging global challenges. Responsible production and consumption can be strengthened based on application of science and innovation. But he highlighted the need to make innovation and technology available to small producers. He highlighted the need to understand nutritional requirements at different stages of life and use nutritional approach to manage emerging health problems. He cited examples where supplementation of midday meal with egg drastically improved protein malnutrition in children. The session also underscored the need for collaborative efforts among researchers, academic institutions, policymakers and industry stakeholders to advance food safety and public health.
Prof. Iddya Karunasagar, Advisor, FAO Reference Centre, Research & Patents, Nitte (Deemed to be University), introduced the speaker and welcomed the attendees. He highlighted the significance of the webinar in fostering scientific awareness and encouraging meaningful discussions on food safety and sustainability. Prof. Indrani Karunasagar, Head, FAO Reference Centre, Director- Projects & DST NUTEC, highlighted the significance of World Food Day and the need for continued efforts towards ensuring safe, nutritious and sustainable food for all. She delivered the vote of thanks, expressing gratitude to the speaker and participants for contributing to the success of the webinar.
Over 220 participants, including faculty members and students from various central research institutes, universities and industries, registered for the webinar. The programme provided an opportunity for participants to engage with an internationally recognised expert and reflect on the role of scientific innovation, public health and collaborative research in addressing contemporary food-related challenges. The webinar concluded with a renewed emphasis on the importance of innovation, interdisciplinary collaboration and responsible scientific practices in shaping a safer and more sustainable agri-food sector.

Event Date : 2026-10-16

Venue : DST-TEC

Last updated 2026-10-25 02:38:11