World Food Day observed
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, October 16 2022:
The Agriculture Directorate, Manipur observed World Food Day at the farmers' training hall of the Directorate Complex located at Sanjenthong today.
The function was graced by N Gojendro, Director, Agriculture Directorate; Todinang Panmei, Addl Director, Agriculture Directorate and N Nilamani, Deputy Director as the chief guest, functional president and guest of honour respectively.
Speaking on the occasion, AK Chittaranjan, Deputy Director, Agriculture Directorate stated that in 1945 the United Nations declared food as a human right and following this the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) was established on October 16 of the same year.
"Then, from October 16, 1979 World Food Day was observed all over the world", he said.
However, one-third of the total food produced in the world is wasted when over 288 million people across the globe face food scarcity and hunger.
Around 0.45% of the total population do not have access to nutritious food items, he continued to share.
This year, the World Food Day is observed under the theme of 'Leave No One Behind', he added.
Speaking as the chief guest, N Gojendro asserted that due to increasing population and declining availability of agricultural land as well as an increase in global temperature, there is an incline in the incidence of diseases which has led to a reduction in food production.
In view of such unfortunate circumstances, the responsibility of producing enough food for the masses does not rest on farmers alone but also on the public, he added.
He told the gathering that the day's function was organised with the goal of reminding people of the importance of food in sustaining life on this planet.
Stating that farmers are feeding the public, he added that the Agriculture Department is also taking up initiatives for the benefit of the people in this regard.
However, the Agriculture Department alone cannot increase the production of food, he opined.
In this context he called for better cooperation between the public/farmers and the Department and urged everyone to work
together sincerely.