Yemen celebrates World Food Day [Archives:2005/896/Business & Economy]
Ismail Al-Ghabiri
Yemen observed the World Food Day in a celebration held in the capital Sana'a on Monday 14 November. The celebration, which was organized by the ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation in collaboration with the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), was held under the theme “Agriculture and Intercultural Dialogue”.
A number of speeches were delivered on the occasion pointing out the importance of that international event and the importance of intercultural dialogue, which is a basic condition to combat hunger and to stop environment deterioration. Harvest movement and animal species throughout history brought about a revolution on the food system to eradicate poverty. On his part, the minister of agriculture and irrigation Hassan Omar Swaid called for a national food strategy in Yemen, urging investors and private sector to play a major role in this regard, praising highly the efforts of FAO and its technical and training assistance to Yemen. The minister added that Yemen had to bring the necessary plans and agricultural programs into existence. The resident representative of FAO in Yemen Hashim Al Shami said, “Agriculture and intercultural dialogue”, the theme of this year's World Food Day, recalls the contribution of the different cultures of world agriculture and argues that sincere intercultural dialogue is a precondition for progress against hunger and environmental degradation.”
“All of this happened centuries ago. How about agriculture today? FAO statistics show that at the start of the new millennium 2.57 billion people depended on agriculture, hunting, fishing or forestry for their livelihoods, including those actively engaged in those activities and their non-working dependants. They represent 42 percent of all human beings.
Agriculture strengthens economies of most developing countries. In industrialized countries, agricultural exports alone were worth about US$290 billion in 2001. Historically, very few countries have experienced rapid economic growth and poverty reduction that has not been either preceded or accompanied by agricultural growth.
Most cultures, especially those in which the principal activity is agriculture, have profound religious beliefs, values and rituals concerning food and respect for the environment. Lessons are there to be learned by other cultures that are striving to feed growing populations, while sustaining the resource based on which future generations will depend for sustenance.
Many international initiatives and civil society networks, such as the international Alliance Against Hunger, are promoting intercultural dialogue to help achieve these goals. World Food Day provides an opportunity at the local, national and international levels to further dialogue and enhance solidarity.”
He added that “Human and cultural ingenuity, the right vision, partnership and support including that FAO and the international community – can surely lead to progress in achieving food security for all”.
Therefore, this annual event is to remind the world leaders that there are still millions of people worldwide suffering hunger and poverty and there is a real need to expand agricultural areas. At the world food summits in 1996 and 2002 the world leaders vowed to reduce the number of people suffering hunger, 850 millions, by half by the year 2015 while ensuring environmental sustainability.
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