Uganda will be joining the rest of the world to mark the world food day on 16th October with the main celebrations to be held at the ministry head offices in Entebbe under the theme, grow a variety of food to nourish a growing population and sustain the planet, together.
Addressing the media ahead of the main event, the agriculture minister Vincent Ssempijja reveals that though Uganda has the capacity to produce more than enough for its population, it’s sad that there are still gaps in the food sector which need to be critically addressed.
However, the WFP official, Ryan Anderson and FAO country representative Antonio Federico urge Uganda to work hard on improving post-harvest handling to reduce food wastage and promote the use of agriculture technology to boost food production.
Statistics show that 70% of people living in Kampala are experiencing food inefficiency yet Kampala is the food center since it harbors the biggest consumers.
As the World is grappling with the COVID-19 Global health crisis, it is important to reflect on things we truly cherish and our most basic needs. These uncertain times have made many of us rekindle our appreciation for a thing that some take for granted and many go without: food.
Food is the essence of life and the bedrock of our cultures and communities. Preserving access to safe and nutritious food is and will continue to be an essential part of the response to the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly for poor and vulnerable communities, who are hit hardest by the pandemic and resulting economic shocks.
In a moment like this, it is more important than ever to recognize the need to support our food heroes – farmers and workers throughout the food system – who are making sure that food makes its way from farm to fork even amid disruptions as unprecedented as the current COVID-19 crisis.
The day is marked to reflect on the country’s position in terms of food and nutritional security, create awareness about the available resources and sustainable production systems and highlight progress towards achieving food security and resilience to shocks in the country and need for more support.
