Rwanda marked World Food Day 2021 on Friday 29th October 2021, with Government officials and key stakeholders in the development of the country’s food and agriculture sector recommitting to nurturing sustainable food systems.
The celebrations to mark the day were held in Rulindo District, where fruit trees were planted for better nutrition, children given milk, and fertilizers and pesticides applied on maize crops. Food varieties grown locally were also exhibited to send a clear message for the presence of healthy and nutritious food in the area.
This year’s World Food Day was celebrated under the theme: “Our actions are our future- better production, better nutrition, a better environment and a better life”.
While officiating the event, Prof. Jean-Chrysostome Ngabitsinze, Minister of State in the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources, emphasized that working together and closely among all stakeholders in agriculture and food processing will help the country achieve more.
He also urged for sustainably increasing agricultural productivity by protecting the environment during food production processes.
“We need to increase productivity in a sustainable way that also protects the environment,” he said, emphasizing that tomorrow needs to be a better place for future generations.
During the celebrations, the UN Resident Coordinator, Fodé Ndiaye, lauded the Government of Rwanda’s efforts to ensure food security.
Among others, he cited innovative approaches to food security such as the country’s Sustainable Agricultural Intensification and Food Security Project (SAIP), the One cow per poor family programme , Kitchen-garden programme, One Cup of Milk per Child, the scale-up of the national school feeding programme to all schoolchildren in Rwanda, as well as the Early Childhood Development (ECD) programme.
“The United Nations family is proud to support the Government of Rwanda on these initiatives to help ensure all people in Rwanda have access to sufficient, affordable, safe and nutritious food to lead an active and healthy life,” he said.
World Food Day is celebrated globally each year on 16th October, but each country is free to opt for a convenient date between 16th October and 30th October for national celebrations.
By Modeste NKURIKIYIMANA
