Policies to ensure that food on campus is sustainably farmed
The University announced the timetable of the work of the «First International Conference on the Sustainability of Natural Resources: Sustainable Management of Solid Waste», which is organized by the Faculty of Engineering at the University, during the period from 6-9 Rabi Al-Awwal of next year 1441 AH, with the aim of contributing to the preparation of a vision on the sustainable management of solid waste at the national and global level, indicating the volume of natural and economic resources wasted and estimating the environmental cost of waste.
Where the reception of research abstracts wishing to participate in the work of the conference will begin on the 26th of Shaaban, through registration on the university's website at the link: https://events.qu.edu.sa/ sdc2019/, and on the tenth of next Ramadan the acceptance of abstracts will be announced, provided that the door for early registration will be closed on 12 Shawwal 1440 AH, and the reception of full research papers will begin on the fourth of Dhu al-Hijjah, and the announcement of their acceptance on 16 Muharram 1441 AH, This is before the conference is held in the month of Rabi I.
For his part, Prof. Dr. Khalid bin Bani Al-Harbi, Vice President for Development and Quality and Chairman of the Organizing Committee, stressed that this international conference came at this time in line with the Kingdom's vision, which promotes the concepts of sustainability, especially with natural resources to preserve them, and invest them in the right way that ensures their sustainability and survival for future generations, God willing, pointing out that the rates of per capita consumption globally in general, and in the Kingdom in particular for some goods and services come within the highest rates, which in turn generates a huge volume of Solid waste, which in turn drains these important resources.
Al-Harbi added that the concept of sustainable development comes to frame this handling of resources in a moderate way to ensure their sustainability and preservation for future generations, hence the importance of applying sustainable management of solid waste to achieve the optimal exploitation of natural resources and make the most of them, and from this point of view comes the importance of encouraging these initiatives aimed at improving sustainable waste management, optimizing the application of modern technologies in this field, and raising community awareness of the nature of risks resulting from their mismanagement.
The Chairman of the Organizing Committee of the Conference believes that raising the level of performance in waste management achieves the sustainability of natural resources and the optimal exploitation of them, and reduce their depletion, stressing the importance of holding such specialized scientific meetings aimed at highlighting everything new in this vital field, where Qassim University sensed the importance of this topic and adopted the establishment of the first international conference on the sustainability of natural resources and highlight the sustainable management of solid waste from the standpoint of its leading societal role to contribute to raising the efficiency of natural resources management to achieve Optimal community development.
The conference will discuss the necessary measures to transform into sustainable food systems in which waste is reduced and food waste is reduced, stimulate integration between partners from different disciplines to manage waste in a sustainable manner, in addition to studying opportunities to stimulate investment in the development of waste recycling technologies in the Kingdom, studying the obstacles to investment in the field of waste manufacturing industries, as well as building and establishing a system of awareness, education and environmental training with the participation of individuals and communities, and linking research and studies in Saudi and international universities to the requirements of development and facing challenges. National.
The conference includes several axes, where the first axis deals with sustainable practices of waste management at all stages "from generation and separation from the source, collection, transportation, conversion, and ending with disposal", and at all levels "planning, management, operation, maintenance, and investment", while the second axis deals with how to manage food loss and food waste at the level of production and consumption, the third axis discusses the topic of investment in waste recycling and manufacturing industries, while the fourth axis deals with the rational management of waste from a legal and cultural perspective.
The University sought to organize this conference due to the high rates of per capita consumption in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia of some goods and services, which come within the highest rates globally, which increased the volume of solid waste generated, and the natural resources in the Kingdom are exposed to depletion and deterioration due to high consumption rates that contradict the application of the concepts of sustainable development, in addition to the need to transfer and localize modern global technologies in the field of waste management in accordance with the conditions of the Kingdom, and the need to address the challenges caused by waste, which is the responsibility of each A member of the community.
The University also aims to raise community awareness of the risks posed by waste generation, encourage initiatives aimed at improving sustainable waste management, and provide an opportunity to exchange experiences and knowledge among specialists in waste management and sustainable development.
With the participation of scientists from America, Britain and Arab countries, conclusion of the activities of the Clean Agriculture Conference at the University, Dr. Al-Turki: We seek to disseminate good agricultural practices
Media Center:
The activities of the Clean Agriculture Conference, which bore the slogan "For a safe agricultural product" and organized by the Center for Promising Research in Biocontrol and Agricultural Information at Qassim University, concluded yesterday.
His Excellency the Rector of the University, Prof. Dr. Khalid bin Abdulrahman Al-Hammoudi, inaugurated the conference, which included a number of lectures and scientific sessions presented by competent researchers from different countries such as Saudi Arabia, America, Britain and Egypt. The conference also hosted eight official speakers who were known for their scientific competence and practical experience in this field.
His Excellency stressed the keenness of the university to organize conferences and various scientific activities that contribute to the dissemination of science and knowledge, to the development of society and the sustainability of the environment, praising the great support of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, His Highness the Crown Prince and His Highness the Deputy Crown Prince, which was received by universities in our beloved Kingdom.
The Director of the Promising Research Center, Prof. Dr. Ahmed bin Ibrahim Al-Turki, pointed out that the university sought through the conference to identify the successful local and international experiences in clean agriculture, in addition to contributing to the dissemination of the concept of good agricultural practices and promoting the concept of sustainable development, and encouraging the use of vital control elements that enhance clean agriculture, pointing out that the organization of this conference is part of the responsibility of the promising research center in spreading the concept of clean agriculture and bioresistance to plant pests and diseases and promoting sustainable development of the environment Agricultural by reducing the use of chemical pesticides and mineral fertilizers.
Dr. Alturki explained that the conference included the following axes:
Policies and legislation on clean agriculture
Clean agricultural production and organic production
Applications of biological and natural control in plant protection
Production of biopesticides from microbes or plant extracts
The role of organic fertilizers and biofertilizers in promoting clean agriculture
The Director of the Center said that the conference concluded with a number of important recommendations, offering his thanks and appreciation to His Excellency the Minister of Education for his support for the establishment of this conference, and to His Excellency the Rector of the University for his interest in advancing the activities of the Center, praising the Undersecretary for Educational Affairs for his continuous efforts and continuous support for the work of distinguished and promising research centers.
Al-Turki also appreciated the efforts of the General Secretariat of the Research Centers of Excellence in the Ministry, thanking all the scientists and researchers who participated in the conference, praising the efforts of his colleagues, chairmen and members of the conference committees.
The Faculty of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine in cooperation with the Center for Sustainable Development, organizes "Symposium on Sustainable Agriculture Safe Product" and a clean environment", under the patronage of His Excellency Prof. Dr. Abdulrahman bin Hamad Al-Dawood , Rector of the University, On Wednesday, at the Faculty of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, with the participation of 13 researchers and experts in several fields, where Many issues of concern to sustainability in the agricultural sector and ways to reduce Waste of natural resources and rationalization of the use of agrochemicals for a better and productive environment Healthy.
The symposium holds 6 scientific sessions to discuss all issues of interest to workers and producers in the agricultural sector, where The first session deals with the "Concept of Integrated Agricultural Pest Management", chaired by Dr. Ahmed Al-Raqiba and participating In which Dr. Najdi Abdul Baqi will discuss the topic of organic and clean agriculture as one of the pillars of the Sustainable Agriculture, headed by Dr. Abdullah Al-Suhaim and with the participation of Dr. Ibrahim Al-Shahwan and Dr. Saleh The third session will be held on the theme "Good Agricultural Practices" under the chairmanship of Dr. Al-Huerni. Mahmoud Al-Azazi and the participation of Dr. Sulaiman Al-Khatib and Dr. Ramzi Abu Ayana.
The fourth session will also discuss "The adverse effects of the unsafe use of pesticides and chemical fertilizers on health and resources." Environmental" headed by Dr. Yousef Al-Saleem, and with the participation of Dr. Mohammed Al-Tafil , Mohammed Al-Shaya and Engineer Radhi Al-Faridi, The fifth session will be chaired by Dr. Abdulaziz Al-Harbi and will be attended by Dr. Fahad Al-Rumayan and Dr. Essam Abdel Moneim to talk about "The optimal use of safe chemical fertilizers", and the sixth closing session will be held Chaired by Dr. Anbar Hassanein and with the participation of Eng. Abdulwahab Al-Halabi and Dr. Ahmed Al-Zuhairi and addressed "Clean Energy Applications in Sustainable Agricultural Production".
The scientific symposium organized by the university represented by the Faculty of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine kicked off on Wednesday. In cooperation with the Center for Sustainable Development, at the university headquarters in Melida, entitled «Sustainable Agriculture.. Safe product and clean environment», which was held under the patronage of His Excellency Prof. Dr. Abdulrahman bin Hamad Aldaoud, Rector of the University, with the participation of 13 panelists and experts to discuss issues of concern to sustainability in Agricultural sector.
The first session was held under the title "The Concept of Integrated Agricultural Pest Management " under the chairmanship of Dr. Ahmed Al-Ruqaiba, Dr. Najdi Farouk Abdul Baqi, Professor at the Department of Plant Production and Prevention at the Faculty of Agriculture, participated in it . and veterinary medicine at the university, with a research paper entitled "Integrated Pest Management Policies", in which he stressed However, integrated pest management is strategies developed as future plans that contribute to conservation. On economic crops from loss by agricultural pests without compromising the environment.
During the study, he addressed integrated control methods that work together within an integrated framework of the best means of control . Ancient and novel that can be applied when a pest of pests, or what is known as management, is active. Integrated pest management through the practical treatment of pest populations based on environmental foundations To reduce their population to below the level of economic damage.
He explained that the integrated control strategy depends on the practical aspect and environmental foundations and this is what distinguishes it from Other means of control that rely only on the practical aspect, without relying on the aspect Ecology, as it puts all the means of control together using the best combination of control methods to allow We live with the scourge while there is no economic loss, as it is a changing system This allows it to be developed as we delve deeper into understanding the factors affecting the ecosystem . Agricultural, such as climate, alternative plant factors, beneficial insects, and human activities.
Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al-Dughairi , Professor at the Department of Plant Production and Prevention, also spoke during the session. Faculty of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Qassim University, Deputy Director of the Center for Promising Research in Biocontrol And agricultural information at the university, about "biological control as one of the elements of integrated pest management", explaining that Sustainable development gives the utmost importance to increasing food production by increasing the productivity of the land, and aims at the time The same to find and transfer cleaner technology «less polluted» and more efficient and to regulate Use fertilizers and pesticides to reduce pollution of land, water, plants and the environment as a whole.
He warned that the availability of pesticides in local markets leads to farmers using intensively. And random for those pesticides that are widespread and non-selective, resulting in the elimination of a lot of beneficial insects, caused an increase in the activity of some other pests, and then began The resistance of these pests to the pesticides used with the desire of farmers to increase doses and the number of times of treatment With those pesticides trying to reduce the damage of those pests and most importantly those problems It is the arrival of those pesticides and their concentration in the bodies of consumers and animals.
Al-Dughairi pointed out that researchers in the field of agricultural pest control have tried to find alternatives to these pesticides. To minimize their use and mitigate their negative effects on humans, their animals and the environment in general, Stressing that «vital control» is one of the important means, which has proven successful in many countries, To reduce the use of pesticides in the agricultural sector, which is the use of a human being by an organism Alive with the aim of eliminating a particular pest, that organism that is chosen to combat the pest, Known as a vital enemy, it can be a predator, a parasite or a pathogenic organism. Which in turn attacks and then eliminates the harmful pest.
He added that all countries are currently interested in activating the role of vital control in combat programs . Pests have them, due to the possibility of being used as an important part of an integrated management program to combat a particular pest, This is because of their importance in reducing the damage caused by chemical pesticides to the environment and to the quality of Water and for non-target organisms. Biocontrol is also a low-cost option compared to pesticides. Some elements of biocontrol can protect the agricultural crop produced from the damage of a pest Certain with the same efficiency that can be obtained when using pesticides.
The second session was held under the title "Organic and clean agriculture as one of the pillars of sustainable agriculture " under the chairmanship of Dr. Abdullah Dr. Ibrahim bin Mohammed Al-Shahwan , Professor at the Department of Plant Protection at the Faculty of Science, spoke in it . Food and Agriculture at King Saud University, Vice President of the Saudi Society for Organic Agriculture and Supervisor of a Farm Dr. Ibrahim Al-Shahwan Organic Agriculture, on "Organic Agriculture for Safe Products and a Clean Environment", Stressing that organic agriculture is one of the various sustainable agriculture systems that have found acceptance. It is appreciated for its advantages over the rest of the systems.
He touched on the definition of organic agriculture as an environmentally friendly agricultural system and its comparison with other agricultural systems and what It is characterized by characteristics that qualify it to preserve the environment and not to pollute it with manufactured chemicals that are many What their residues affect humans, animals and other organisms, and have a great impact on the preservation of The ecological balance of soil and other organisms, he also touched on what Characterized by organic agricultural products plant and animal compared to other agricultural products Produced under the conditions of other agricultural systems.
For his part, Dr. Saleh Sulaiman Al-Huwairini , Professor at the Department of Plant Production and Prevention at the Faculty of Agriculture and Medicine, presented Veterinary at Qassim University, for the concept of clean agriculture, which is one of the most important modern trends in the sector Agricultural to maintain human and animal health and the ecological balance between pests and natural enemies and to reduce Environmental pollution, so clean agriculture is an integrated agro-social ecosystem that takes into account the governorate On resources and the reduction of pollutants which are one of the most important future aspirations in The agricultural sector in recent years in Saudi Arabia .
Al-Huairini explained that the concept of clean agriculture is one of the most important future strategic directions for agricultural development in The Kingdom to reduce the use of fertilizers and chemical pesticides, by activating biological pest control programs using Predators present in the local environment and pathogenic organisms of pests such as fungi, bacteria and the use of traps.
He added that other agricultural inputs such as organic fertilizers, biovaccinations and biofertilizers are cheap, and are working to Rebalancing microbes in the soil, activating vital processes, improving soil properties and rationalizing fertilizer use Mineral which reduces production costs on the one hand and improves the quality of various crops and access On a safe and clean agricultural product on the other hand, which is what makes for clean farming products High value at the local, regional and international level within the framework of international policy and conventions Partnership between different countries.
Al-Huairini believes that the importance of clean agriculture begins with educating those in charge of agriculture about the most important modern technologies in This field, which aims to transfer technologies to individuals to exploit their abilities and self-efforts, Through the comprehensive extension program and work to raise farmers' awareness to raise the level of their knowledge and develop their skills and their future directions within the framework of sustainable development, as well as raising awareness among farmers of the danger of use Unregulated for chemical compounds such as pesticides that have an impact not only on quality Economic value is even a long-term health and environmental impact .
The third session of the symposium dealt with the theme "Good Agricultural Practices" under the chairmanship of Dr. Mahmoud Al-Azazi, and spoke in which he spoke Dr. Sulaiman bin Ali Al-Khatib , Director General of the General Directorate of Plant Wealth, Ministry of Environment and Water Agriculture is about the "concept of good agricultural practices", explaining that the project of dissemination and adoption of agricultural practices Good in Saudi Arabia (Saudi Qab) is considered a new vision for agricultural work in a way Serves the protection and sustainability of natural resources and the preservation of the environment, including biodiversity, Activate the role of human resources to achieve the optimal use of these resources.
Al-Khatib pointed out that Saudi Arabia is around the corner serving the optimal use of production inputs such as seeds, seeds and fertilizers . Pesticides and management of the production unit, improvement of its facilities, qualification and training of personnel, all this will lead to improvement Agricultural processes and practices, increasing agricultural production and improving its specifications, thus increasing farmers' incomes and ensuring that Safety of local agricultural products and enhances consumer confidence in local products and contributes to the opening of outlets New marketing both locally and globally, in addition to the development of economic value For agricultural products and increase their contribution to GDP.
He added that the standards of good agricultural practices will be applied in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia according to a time plan . Three years ago, the Ministry aspired to cover the cultivated area in the Kingdom and to ensure Covering all the activities of the agricultural sector from plant, animal and fish production.
Dr. Ramzi Abu Ayana from the Agricultural Sector Department of the Saleh Awqaf Department also participated in the session. Al Rajhi, with a paper on the criteria and conditions for obtaining the Good Agricultural Practices Certificate (GAP), indicating Objectives of obtaining the Good Agricultural Practices (Global Gap), Qualified Entities and Certification Bodies Inside and outside Saudi Arabia , the cost of obtaining the certificate varies depending on those Entities and the readiness of the institution or not, and the validity period of the certificate is one year For renewal according to a series of technical and administrative procedures, in addition to the most important standards of practice Good agricultural, the most prominent of which are tracking, documentation, internal audit, soil management and the use of Fertilizers , irrigation, crop protection, harvesting, post-harvest transactions and others.
He then touched on the practical applications (audit and inspection sites) of good agricultural practices in the facility (project/ Factory) and its readiness, employees and availability of health and safety means for them, documents and records, and equipment Machinery, the extent to which the product is free of contaminants and pesticide residues, as well as monitoring and identifying potential risks In the farm and the development of controls and preventive measures for it, and the types of signs and warning signs as one of the requirements Obtain quality certificates.
The fourth session, chaired by Dr. Yousef Al-Saleem, also discussed the harmful effects of unsafe use. for pesticides and chemical fertilizers on health and environmental resources ", where Dr. Mohammed Abdullah presented Parasite from King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, for the impact of agrochemicals on public health, He pointed out that these chemical pollutants have harmful and dangerous effects on the health of community members And its danger reaches them through food from meat, fish, bee products, water and fruits and vegetables as well as through the air.
He pointed out that chemical pollution exacerbates the health of community members from young and old as well as on embryos in The stomachs of their mothers causing damage and causing damage to various organs of the body and dysfunction of their functions, and causing diseases Various congenital malformations, autism of newborns , hepatic and renal failure, cancer diseases.
In turn, Dr. Mohammed Shaya Alshaya, Head of the Department of Agricultural Extension and Rural Society at the College of Food Sciences , spoke And agriculture at King Saud University, on the impact of overuse of agrochemicals on soil pollution and water, warning against excessive use of pesticides and fertilizers and their negative effects on soil and water and their reflection to become A source of soil contamination leading to pollutants entering the food chain and causing serious effects On the health and well-being of people.
To treat this phenomenon, we must raise the level of knowledge of the farmer and know all aspects of safe use. For pesticides and fertilizers, use pesticides and chemical fertilizers in a balanced way and not overdo it, and work to apply Integrated pest management, development and application of strict laws to preserve the environment and soil from pollution.
The session was attended by Radhi bin Abdullah Al-Faridi, Director of the Department of Communications, Marketing and Public Affairs of the Research Center The development of sustainable agriculture, where he talked about the research of the Estidama Center on water use efficiency in Modern greenhouses mentioned some of the results and experiments of the center in the effect of greenhouse coverings on the amount of Production and water consumption efficiency , pointing out that the center at present seeks with everyone (Researchers, academics, farmers and investors to work and participate in his main research areas), namely control By climatic factors (industrial environment), fertilization and irrigation methods, integrated pest management (IPM) ), and the management of agricultural operations and crops.
He also talked about the impact of different technologies in greenhouses and their impact on efficiency in water consumption, And some of the center's experiments that showed the importance of the cover (glass / polycarbonate / plastic) in the greenhouses In increasing production and water efficiency, with the importance of attention and care in the process of cleaning greenhouse coverings From dust and plankton.
The fifth session was chaired by Dr. Abdulaziz Al-Harbi, and Dr. Fahad bin Mohammed bin Rumian spoke. Al-Rumayyan Head of the Department of Plant Production and Prevention at the Faculty of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine at Qassim University, About the Department Integrated fertilization for sustainable agriculture, stressing that the basic concept of nutrient management is the addition of The right source of nutrients for the plant at the right rate, at the right time and in the right place . These elements are essential in the sustainable and integrated management of plant nutrition.
He added that the farmer and the person responsible for the management of the land is the decision maker in choosing the appropriate practices for the soil. Local site-specific, climate, crop production conditions and local systems that have a probability of fulfillment By objectives, because these local conditions can influence the decision about the chosen practice in all Its stages.
Dr. Essam Abdel Moneim from the Department of Plant Production and Prevention presented the Faculty of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine University Qassim, for soil improvers as auxiliary agents to rationalize the use of chemical fertilizers, the enhancers consist of organic materials and inorganic substances, as the organic matter in the soil contains a large range of Compounds ranging from fats, carbohydrates, proteins and acids, as well as inorganic substances.
Enhancers can be a source of nutrients , and soil improvers can increase soil exchange capacity, i.e. Increases the amount of soil by retaining nutrients, and also increases the water capacity of the soil, i.e. maintains The ground solution that is the source of nutrients on the dissolved image, and all these qualities help On the reduction of fertilizer use.
The sixth closing session was held under the chairmanship of Dr. Anbar Hassanein and dealt with "Applications of clean energy in agricultural production." "Sustainability", with the participation of Engineer Abdulwahab Al-Halabi from Oxel Laboratories in Al-Ahsa, who spoke about Biogas production as a clean energy source, where biogas production contributes to the recycling of Household organic waste and agriculture in the context of sustainable development, can be used as a renewable energy source and as an alternative For natural gas and liquefied petroleum gas which can be used in many Applications as fuel for homes or heating and cooling power generation.
Al-Halabi explained that the environment surrounding urban areas and industrial zones is negatively and sometimes seriously affected by Organic waste residues. Where in the absence of proper and healthy management of organic waste, the residues of organic waste may decompose. It produces pathogenic microbes or harmful air pollutants, stressing the need to take advantage of waste in our environment Agricultural, urban and industrial to produce renewable energy and high-quality organic fertilizer.
The session was attended by Dr. Ahmed Al-Zuhairi from the Department of Plant Production and Prevention at the Faculty of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine at the University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine . Qassim, who talked about the use of solar energy in modern irrigation systems, where agriculture is considered The largest employment market in the world and agriculture generates large numbers of jobs whether agricultural workers or Workers in agriculture-dependent and nourishing fields , as agricultural processes affect Agriculture is responsible for 20% of greenhouse gas emissions that cause retention. Thermal and climatic changes.
Al-Zuhairi stressed that environmentally friendly agricultural systems can be planned and contribute to reducing these emissions, as Solar energy offers a safe environmental alternative that can reduce the need for various conventional energy sources Which are used in agricultural production processes, since solar energy is the main motivation For evaporation processes, therefore it is the factor that has the greatest impact on the water need in the plant As well as the use of this energy to supply irrigation processes with energy as the need of the plant increases For water by increasing the solar energy falling on it and decreasing it decreases, he also touched on the main systems of collection This energy and its transformation into the image suitable for use in irrigation operations.
In conjunction with World Food Day, and under the patronage of His Excellency Prof. Dr. Abdulrahman bin Hamad Al-Dawood, President of the University, the University, represented by the Community Service Unit at the College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, held on Wednesday, 4/3/1442 AH, a number of scientific lectures remotely, in cooperation with the departments of the College.
The lectures provided by the university on this occasion varied as they included: a lecture entitled "Food Safety in the Application of the HACCP Program", presented by Dr. Shawkat Fathy, a faculty member at the College, in which he talked about the emergence of the HACCP Food Safety System in the United States of America, and then crossed the Atlantic Ocean to Europe and the rest of the world, where it was described as an integrated control system that ensures the achievement of food safety and risk freedom by analyzing the potential risks that exist in food during the stages of its preparation and processing and identifying control points. Critical and work to monitor and control them to avoid the occurrence of those risks.
The lecture also pointed out that many governments and non-governmental institutions have begun to apply this system in order to produce safe food for the consumer, and in the Kingdom the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs has paid attention to the "HACCP" system and issued technical bulletins and manuals in preparation for its application, and the Saudi Food and Drug Authority has crowned the Ministry's efforts to issue a circular on 24/3/2019 obliging food factories and water bottling to apply this system because of its great impact on food safety.
After that, a lecture entitled "Functional Poultry Food and Human Health" was held, presented by Dr. Tarek Obaid, a faculty member at the College, during which he stressed the increased interest in the role of functional foods in improving human health in recent times, where eggs are one of the most important and widespread functional foods such as eggs rich in omega-3, eggs rich in organic selenium and eggs rich in vitamins, in addition to the presence of eggs rich in more than one of the previous elements, namely eggs Columbus, and there is now poultry meat rich in omega-3. Poultry meat rich in vitamin E and poultry meat rich in selenium.
The lecture revealed that these products have an important vital role in protecting the human body from many diseases, including cardiovascular diseases, autoimmune diseases and some inflammatory diseases, in addition to protecting humans from cancer and Alzheimer's, so they are recommended for the elderly and children.
The College held a lecture entitled "Together Towards a Balanced Food to Maintain Your Health", presented by Dr. Raghad Al-Hameed, a faculty member at the College, during which she explained the essential role of balanced food in the health of the body and its freedom from diseases, where balanced food is defined as food that provides the human body with various essential nutrients of proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, mineral elements and water, which the body needs to carry out its functions properly, build cells, tissues, and organs in the body and prevent diseases, and raise awareness in Society is about balanced food that must contain diverse foods with appropriate rations from different food groups.
The lecture warned of the need for the calorie components of food to be suitable for the body according to the age, type and activity of the person to achieve and maintain a healthy weight, as each type of food contains one or more of these nutrients in varying quantities and each type of them has certain functions in the human body.
In conclusion, a lecture entitled "Organic Agriculture in Achieving Sustainable Agricultural Development: Vegetable Crops as Models" was held, presented by Dr. Adel Hassan, a faculty member at the College, during which he explained that organic agriculture is an agricultural pattern that preserves and develops natural resources by improving the fertility and characteristics of the soil and improves biodiversity and biological cycles, thus preserving the environment from pollution, and this characteristic makes it play an important role in providing the nutritional needs of current generations and preserving the rights of future generations to Achieving sustainable development.
The lecture touched on data and figures from FAO and practical research centers interested in organic agriculture and organic production management in various countries of the world and the importance of organic agriculture and its role in achieving sustainable agricultural development, pointing to the need for further studies in the field of organic production by introducing new agricultural systems based on the non-use of chemicals and rationalizing the use of traditional agricultural inputs with modern and sustainable scientific methods.
The date of 16 October each year coincides with the founding day of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in 1945, where FAO participates in this day with events in more than 150 countries around the world, through which awareness and action are promoted globally for the eradication of hunger, the need to ensure food security and a nutritious diet for all.
