South Africa will join the World in commemorating World Food Day on 16 October.
The Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development, Thoko Didiza, MP and Deputy Minister, Mcebisi Skwatsha, MEC of Eastern Cape Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform, Nomakhosazana Meth and Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Representative, Dr Francesco Pierri will visit agricultural projects in Lusikisiki on the day 15 October ahead of World Food Day Commemoration on 16 October.
World Food Day is commemorated annually on 16 October to create public awareness of the world food shortage and to strengthen solidarity in the struggle against hunger, malnutrition and poverty. The theme for this year is “Our actions are our future. Healthy diets for a #ZeroHunger world”.
The commemorations will take place in Details of the programme on 15 October 2019:
The minister and other stakeholders will visit Households and Projects on 15 October from between 11:00 and 16:00.
Activities for the next day (16 October 2019), will kick off with planting season demonstration (soybean planting) at Lambasi between 07:30-10:00.
The main event will kick off at 11:30 at Zalu Sports Field, Lusikisiki, in the Eastern Cape.
According to Wikipedia, World Food Day (WFD) was established by FAO’s Member Countries at the Organization’s 20th General Conference in November 1979. The Hungarian Delegation, led by the former Hungarian Minister of Agriculture and Food Dr. Pál Romány, played an active role at the 20th Session of the FAO Conference and suggested the idea of celebrating the WFD worldwide. It has since been observed every year in more than 150 countries, raising awareness of the issues behind poverty and hunger.
Since 1981, World Food Day has adopted a different theme each year in order to highlight areas needed for action and provide a common focus.
Most of the themes revolve around agriculture because only investment in agriculture – together with support for education and health – will turn this situation around. The bulk of that investment will have to come from the private sector, with public investment playing a crucial role, especially in view of its facilitating and stimulating effect on private investment.
