World Food Day is celebrated annually on 16 October to raise awareness on hunger and healthy food habits for all. It also marks the foundation day of the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO). The day aimed to highlight the struggle of those who don’t even get a single meal in the day. Millions of people across the world are unable to afford a healthy diet. This puts them at high risk of high food insecurity and malnutrition. But ending hunger is not just about the supply, it should reach those who require it. World Food Day is observed by organisations like the World Food Programme and the International Fund for Agriculture Development.
This year’s World Food Day 2022 was marked in a year with multiple global challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic, conflict, climate change, rising prices and international tensions. All of this is affecting global food security. The Day was led by The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and organised by the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries under the theme “Leave No One behind”.
The World Food Day was held at Namulonge, Naccri and it was attended by over 300 participants including small scale farmers, exhibitors, Ministers and the Prime Minister who graced the event as the Guest of honour.
ESAFF Uganda supported 4 small scale farmers from Mayuge, Adjumani, Amuria and Kamuli to exhibit Participatory Plant Breeding(PPB) in farmer field schools, exhibit local seeds and Neglected and Underutilized Species (NUS) and explaining the importance of NUS to the environment. Small scale Farmers also shared their experiences, lessons and challenges they face in doing PPB and one of them is lack to rights to seed varieties.
Small scale farmers launched their seed variety registration petition. The Chairperson of ESAFF Uganda, Mr. Hakim Baliraine unveiled the petition before the Hon. Prime Minister and Minister of Agriculture petitioning the Government of Uganda through the ministry of Agriculture, crop department to create an enabling environment for farmers to own their seeds and seed varieties through registration.
The Prime Minister, Hon, Robinah Nabbanja appreciated the petition, and promised to work with Hon. Frank Tumwebaze the minister for Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries to engage with ESAFF Uganda on this petition. Participants at the occasion also endorsed the petition.
During the occasion, ESAFF Uganda further exhibited its contribution to the presidential call of adding value to agro products, access to markets to fight poverty and this was done through the popularization of the KilimoMart Online shop.
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