By Modou Kanteh
Information officer.
The Gambia government has joined its counterparts around the world to celebrate World Food Day. October 16, is set aside every year by the United Nation’s Food and Agriculture Organisation to commemorate world food day to mark the creation of the United Nation’s Food and Agriculture Organisation.
In an address to mark the celebration the Honourable Minister for Agriculture Amie Faburah said The 2020 World Food Day has been seriously affected by the global pandemic known as Covid- 19. She pointed out that the celebrations of the World Food Day were done in grant style marking several events such drama, school farms and garden competition, farmer competition, and award of prizes to best farmers. But said this year due to Covid-19,the celebration will be down scaled to exhibition of locally processed food, and bio-fortify crops, stands of NARI, distribution of vegetable seeds and simple farm equipment and sensitization on the theme.
Minister Fabureh stated that this year’s World Food Day, marks its 75thanniversary. She said globally, events are organized in over 150 countries, making it one of the mostly celebrated days of the United Nation’s calendar. “These events promote worldwide awareness and action for those who suffer from hunger and the need to ensure food security and nutritious diets for all,” the Minister said.
This Year’s theme is “Grow, nourish, sustain. Together Our actions are our future.
the Agriculture Minister further stated that this year, World Food Day intends to remind every country of its fundamental political commitment to humanity – the eradication of all forms of malnutrition and raise awareness to achieve Growth, Nourish and Sustainthe world by 2030 is still possible. Hon. Fabureh noted that the Ministry of Agriculture under the able leadership of H.E President Adama Barrow is committed to attaining a sustainable home-grown food and nutrition security. This minister said, would provide people with the necessary nutritious food for a healthy life and growth.
According to minister Fabureh, the Ministry of Agriculture in collaboration FAO, WFP, IFAD supported smallholder farmers with agricultural inputs (seeds, fertilizer and farm implements, ploughing) to boost agricultural production and the productivity of the farmers and rural communities. She applauded H.E. President Adama Barrow for creating the enabling environment, and all the development partners especially FAO for the collaboration and traditional financial and technical support to the Ministry of Agriculture.
The event is commemorated every year to mark the creation of the United Nation’s Food and Agriculture Organisation on the 16th of October, 1945.