|
|
|
You can get e-magazine links on WhatsApp. Click here
|
|
|
|
|
|
FAO lauds UN’s move to declare int’l year, days for food & agri issues
|
|
Thursday, 26 December, 2019, 14 : 00 PM [IST]
|
|
Rome
|
FAO (the Food and Agriculture Organization) has welcomed the United Nations’ (UN) recent decision to create two new international days and one international year devoted to issues directly related to food and agriculture.
The UN General Assembly adopted resolutions designating 2021 as the International Year of Fruits and Vegetables; May 21 as International Tea Day and September 29 as International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste, following requests made by the FAO Conference.
“Without healthy diets, we cannot hope to end malnutrition - and we will not eradicate hunger unless we curb food losses. By highlighting the value of fruits and vegetables, and the damage caused by loss and waste, the UN has taken a decisive step to promote fairer, greener, more efficient food systems,” said Maria Helena Semedo, deputy-general for climate and natural resources, FAO.
“Honouring tea is a fitting tribute to the legions of smallholder farmers who help produce what is the world's favourite drink, after water itself,” she added.
Other resolutions adopted by the UN General Assembly focussed on progress and challenges related to agriculture, food security and nutrition; sustainable mountain development; the role of agricultural technology; the importance of natural plant fibres for livelihoods and the environment, and the need to eradicate rural poverty.
Fruit and vegetables
Chile has been a champion of devoting a year to promote fruit and vegetables, which have well-known nutritional qualities and also contribute to the prevention of non-communicable diseases (NCDs).
FAO and the World Health Organization recommended that each adult consumed at least 400g of fruit and vegetables on a daily basis to prevent chronic NCDs, including heart diseases, cancer, diabetes and obesity, as well as to counter micronutrient deficiencies.
Advocacy for fresh produce also fits well with the aim of strengthening the role of smallholder and family farmers, and fosters broader market options for millions of rural families.
Gender equity opportunities are also noteworthy, as women often play leading roles for their households in both the production and consumption of fruits and vegetables.
Tea
The proposal to make May 21 International Tea Day was led by the People's Republic of China following the 23rd Session of the Intergovernmental Group (IGG) on Tea, held in Hangzhou in May 2018.
The observance was meant to acknowledge and promote the herb’s contribution to human health, socialisation, cultural heritage, rural development and sustainable livelihoods.
Tea is a major cash crop for millions of families in developing countries, and as a labour-intensive sector, including processing, the industry provides jobs in remote and economically-disadvantaged areas.
The tea sector contributes to cardinal Sustainable Development Goals of the 2030 Agenda, notably reducing poverty and eradicating hunger by creating jobs, generating incomes and improving the livelihoods of the communities engaged in production activities.
Food loss and waste
Andorra and San Marino played a key role in proposing the International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste (FLW). The day offers an opportunity to sharpen focus on the need to reduce FLW, and how doing so can contribute to sustainable development.
As explored in depth in FAO’s 2019 State of Food and Agriculture, food loss and waste entails significant emissions that exacerbate the challenge of climate change as well as impact on food security.
An estimated 14 per cent of the world’s food is lost along the chain from the point of harvest to the retail level, and likely even more is wasted later.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|