The event emphasised the critical role of agriculture in ensuring food security, resilience against climate shocks, and the need to transform agric-food systems for a better environment and a sustainable future.
Celebrated under the theme: 'Right to food for a better life and a better future,’ the event also brought together government and community leaders, farmers, development partners and stakeholders to reflect on global and national food security challenges and the importance of resilient food systems for better production and better nutrition for a better life.
Moreover, World Food Day is an important occasion for the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), as it reinforces the organisation’s commitment to ending hunger and promoting sustainable food systems globally.
The event also highlighted the critical role of farmers in addressing food security amid challenges of climate change and economic instability, thereby emphasising the need for increased support and investment in rural communities to ensure they can address the aspirations of the 2030 Agenda leaving no one behind.
Addressing the gathering, Seedy Lamin Bah, governor of the Lower River Region, emphasised the importance of rural communities in the agricultural sector, stating rural farmers are the backbone of our agricultural system.
“We must ensure they have the resources and support necessary to feed themselves and their communities. Lower River Region is playing a crucial role in this effort, and the hard work of our farmers deserves recognition and support.”
For his part, Dr Demba Sabally, Minister for Agriculture, Livestock, and Food Security, highlighted the increasing threats of climate change, economic downturns, and inequalities.
“More than 733 million people worldwide are facing hunger, while 2.8 billion cannot afford a healthy diet. We must urgently transform our agri-food systems to ensure access to affordable, nutritious food for all.”
Mme Rose Sarr, United Nations Resident Coordinator ad interim, also reechoed similar sentiments, calling for resilience in food systems amid global challenges.
“Smallholder farmers, especially family farmers, remain the backbone of food production worldwide, but they face mounting pressures from climate change and biodiversity loss. We must rethink how we produce, process, and consume food to ensure that everyone’s right to food is respected.”
Ms Shibu Rampedi, FAO Representative, while reflecting on the local context and FAO’s continued support to The Gambia, maintained that they’re committed to working with the government and local communities to promote climate-smart agriculture, improve market access, and ensure that rural farmers can withstand climate shocks and continue to produce nutritious food for all.
Ms Rampedi equally reiterated FAO’s commitment to promoting the right to food as a basic human right; empowering rural communities through initiatives that promote climate-smart agriculture.
“FAO is helping farmers build resilience to climate shocks, increase productivity, and improve food security for a better life.”
World Food Programme Country Director, Mme Miranda Sende, outlined WFP’s continued efforts to empower communities to tackle climate change impacts and economic challenges.
“WFP's activities focus on reinforcing local food procurement for the Home-Grown School Feeding Programme, promoting sustainable agricultural practices, enhancing bio-fortification and nutritional education through SBCC initiatives.”
Also speaking, Mme Ndella Faye-Colley, Executive Director of Action Aid, outlined the issue of land access for women farmers in rural Gambia.
While not a crisis, she acknowledged that this limitation affects women’s empowerment and agricultural productivity.
She called for initiatives to allocate land to women as vital for sustainable development and improvement of the right to adequate food and nutrition.
World Food Day 2024 served as a powerful reminder of the shared responsibility to ensure that access to food is a basic human right, no one should be left behind. Speaker after speaker reiterated the need for continued collaborative efforts to build resilient, inclusive, and sustainable agri-food systems. By transforming agri-food systems and investing in rural farmers, The Gambia will make significant strides towards the aspirations of its Green Recovery Focused National Development Plan.
