The Limpopo Department of Agriculture (LDA) in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) and other stakeholder departments will host the 2010 Provincial World Food Day Celebrations.
The World Food Day is the day which was proclaimed in 1979 by the Conference of the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations (UN). It marks the date of the founding of FAO in 1945. The aim of the day is to heighten public awareness of the world food problem and strengthen solidarity in the struggle against hunger, malnutrition and poverty.
In 1980, the General Assembly of the UN endorsed the observance of the day in consideration of the fact that "food is a requisite for human survival and well-being and a fundamental human necessity" (resolution 35/70 of 5 December 1980).
In November 1996, FAO hosted 186 Heads of State and other high ranking officials including South Africa at the World Food Summit set out to discuss and combat world hunger. The World Food Summit, Heads of State and Government reaffirmed “the right of everyone to have access to safe and nutritious food, consistent with the right to adequate food and the fundamental right of everyone to be free from hunger.” This laudable efforts were further given imputes by the Millennium Development Goals Targets in 2000. The declaration of the World Food Summit in June 2002 reaffirmed the importance of strengthening the respect of all human rights and fundamental freedoms.
In 2009, the LDA together with DAFF and FAO hosted a National World Food Day celebration in Muyexe village under Greater Giyani Municipality of the Mopani District. This year, the Provincial World Food Day will be hosted at Ga-Kgatla. Ga-Kgatla was chosen as a host since it is the area where the War on Poverty Campaign was launched in 2008. As a result, several government initiated support including the vegetable shade net production supporting household food production was provided to the area.
The 2010 World Food Day is: “united against hunger”
Date: Tuesday, 12 October 2010
Venue: Blouberg Municipality (Ga-Kgatla Village)
Time: 10h00
For more information contact:
Kenny Mathivha
Cell: 082 889 3791
