By Fatou B. Cham
October 16th every year is a special day set aside to commemorate World Food Day.This year’s theme for World Food Day is “Leave no one behind! Better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life.”In observance of the day, Hon. Dr. DembaSabally, Agriculture Minister mentioned that in addition to raising awareness about hunger, World Food Day also seeks to promote sustainable agricultural practices and highlights the importance of ensuring access to nutritious foods.
“It is an important day to reflect on the progress made in combating hunger and malnutrition and the challenges that remain, as it is also a time when we acknowledge the hard work of our farmers and other key stakeholders in the agriculture and food sectors,” he elaborated.
He went on to lament that the world faces profound food security challenges as a result of conflicts, economic crises, climate emergencies,environmental degradation, and the knock-on effects of Covid-19.
“We need to continue in our efforts to achieve the 2030 Agenda for everyone, everywhere,” he stated.
The Agric minister went on: “Food prices have soared to record highs this year; fertilizers are becoming too expensive for many farmers; the number of people facing food insecurity have been rising unabated. As always, the poorest are hardest hit”.
According to Dr Sabally the World Food Day 2022 launches a resounding call for action and global solidarity to transform agrifood systems in a bid to foster economic growth, address inequalities, increase resilience, and achieve sustainable development.
He advised that one can also waste less, eat nutritious, seasonal, and locally produced foods, and care for natural resources like oil and water.
He concluded by thanking and recognizing the efforts of the UN system in The Gambia, the RCO, FAO, WFP, IFAD, UNDP, UNICEF & WHO, as well as the food producers (small-scale farmers) and the government of The Gambia.
