DUSHANBE, October 17, 2013, Asia-Plus — On Wednesday October 16, some 150 Tajik students and faculty members came together to commemorate the World Food Day in the Tajik Agrarian University.
The main objective of the event organized by FAO Representation Office in cooperation with the Tajik Agrarian University and the Ministry of Agriculture of Tajikistan was in raising awareness among students and professors about the day which is celebrated around the world every year on October 16 and raising public awareness on world food problems while strengthening solidarity in the struggle against hunger, malnutrition and poverty.
Since 1981, the World Food Day has adopted a different theme each year, in order to highlight areas needed for action and provide a common focus. The focus of the World Food Day in 2013 is “Sustainable Food Systems for Food Security and Nutrition” in addition to the adopted by the UN General Assembly – the International Year of Quinoa.
“I appreciate the enthusiasm shown by students towards the commitments of FAO and its work both around the world, regionally and in Tajikistan,” said Mr. Tomasz Lonc, Alternate FAO Representative in Tajikistan in his opening remarks. “It is encouraging to see that students are very interested in our event, and it creates a good basis for learning what a sustainable food system looks like and what would need to be changed to move us in that direction. The World Food Day helps us to explore these and other questions and assists in bringing about the future we want.”
At the presentation “Sustainable Food Systems and Food Security in Tajikistan and Central Asia” Mr. Tomasz Lonc spoke about food security and nutrition systems, food systems and agriculture, food insecurity implications and immediate causes of malnutrition at the country and regional levels.
Participants also discussed the unsustainable models of development degrading the natural environment, threatening ecosystems and biodiversity that will be needed for future food supplies.
Students also increased their knowledge about “a new ally in the fight against hunger and food insecurity – the quinoa”, given in presentation “2013 – the International Year of Quinoa” by the Deputy FAO Representative in Tajikistan Ms. Tahmina Tourayeva. Deputy FAOR highlighted the role of quinoa as a “viable and effective option for fighting hunger and malnutrition”, and underlined the important role of women farmers especially in quinoa production. Tajikistan faces the challenge of increasing the production of quality food to feed a growing population in a changing climate and in this context the expected launch of the new FAO Technical Cooperation Project on Quinoa production in the country will be timely and important initiative, noted the FAO representative, citing the crop”s unique nutritional characteristics and adaptability.
Participants were given an opportunity to watch a video film “Quinoa” and receive educational and promotional materials, presented by the FAO Office in Tajikistan. Also students were offered tasting dishes of quinoa, prepared by chief-cooker of «Segafredo Dushanbe” restaurant.
The Deputy Minister of Agriculture concluded at the end of the ceremony: “The World Food Day invites us to address the global problems of hunger and we appreciate the aid and support of international partners such as the FAO, rendered to our country in this direction.”
The World Food Day is marked every year around the world on October 16 in honor of the date of the founding of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations in 1945. The day is celebrated widely by many other organizations concerned with challenges of food security, including FAO sister agencies such as the World Food Programme (WFP) and the International Fund for Agriculture Development (IFAD).
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to defeat hunger and ensure food security globally. Serving both developed and developing countries, FAO acts as a neutral forum where all nations meet as equals to negotiate agreements and to debate policies. FAO is also a source of knowledge and information, and helps developing countries and countries in transition modernize and improve agriculture, forestry and fisheries practices, ensuring good nutrition and food security for all. As of August 8, 2013 FAO has 194 member states, along with the European Union, and the Faroe Islands and Tokelau, which are associate members.
