FAO South Africa and The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform & Rural Development Commemorate World Food Day in KwaZulu-Natal

PRETORIA - The country representative Dr Ahmadu Babagana commemorated World Food Day with The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform & Rural Development in KZN, KwaMaphumulo, Ilembe District, Sixeni Sport Ground.

World Food Day is commemorated every year on 16 October to mark the founding of the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) and underscore the need to step up efforts to end hunger and other forms of malnutrition.

It is a day to highlight our collective efforts towards progressively achieving zero hunger targets, while also underlining the important role played by food and agriculture in achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

This year’s theme is “Water is Life, Water is food. Leaving no one behind”. It calls for collective action in making healthy diets available and affordable to all.

This year’s World Food Day focusses on celebrates one of the planet’s most precious resource: water. It is essential to life on Earth. It covers the majority of the planet’s surface, makes up over 50 percent of our bodies, helps keep us fed, supports livelihoods and is central to achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

We all have a responsibility to protect our planet and all its natural resources. Especially water. Without water there is no life, without water, there is no food. Therefore, it is important for us all to come together in partnerships and collaboration to address the following issues around water;

• Good governance is crucial for sustainable and equitable water allocation, through an integrated and inclusive approach with all partners. Water governance and tenure, water pricing, regulations, and incentive measures, are needed to drive change and ensure equitable access to clean and safe water resources.
• We need to implement integrated water resources management through coordinated development and management of water, land, and related resources to maximize human well-being, without compromising the sustainability of vital ecosystems.
• Investment in innovative, efficient water management practices is vital, including recent advances in irrigation and storage technologies and science-based solutions to address water scarcity and harnessing flooding; so that we are building a water-saving and resilient society.

In conclusion, none of us can be able to achieve these Goals alone. Partnership between Government, Private Sector and Civil Society remains being our best chance at achieving our 2023 Sustainable Development Goals.

Media Equiries:

Luthando.Kolwapi@fao.org