World Food Day 2020: Theme, importance and why is it celebrated

World Food Day is an internationally celebrated awareness day that was first started the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). The Food and Agriculture Organization is an agency within the United Nations, founded on October 16th, 1945. Throughout the years, it has focused on several themes such as food security, availability and awareness for agriculture.

Theme

According to fao.org, the theme for World Food Day 2020 is 'Grow, Nourish, Sustain. Together'. Since it's first theme in 1981 which focused on 'Food comes first', this year will focus on availability and accessibility to safe and nutritious food amidst the coronavirus pandemic. This puts the focus on farmers, unsung heroes of the lockdown who ensured agriculture did not suffer despite the pandemic and to provide support for them.

Importance

World Food Day 2020 focuses on a neglected aspect, food systems. Despite availability of food throughout the world in enough quantities, many issues such as hunger, obesity, environmental deterioration and climate change are some of the many challenges faced by countries. To combat this, World Food Day aims for social protection schemes, environmental-friendly agricultural practices and a more resilient food system. This will ensure that problems around the world caused due to hunger will be reduced.

In a country like India where agriculture is a prominent occupation among many, digital technology can help merge the gap between urban and rural. However, according to FAO, over 3 billion people live without access to internet all across the world who mostly reside in rural or remote areas. Access to technology can help in better food systems, communication, reduced food loss and improved agricultural methods. It can also help in monitoring and improving food quality, fighting pests, provide farmers with a voice and platform to put across their needs and ideas.

The Covid-19 pandemic made an impact across the world which led to a greater appreciation for basic necessities among many people. Through the efforts of Food and Agricultural organization, World Food Day 2020 aims to help the world unite and recover from the pandemic, providing quality and safe nutrition to everyone.

Also read: World Vegetarian Day 2020: The two major benefits of being vegetarian