World Food Day 2021: An international day celebrated every year worldwide on 16 October to commemorate the date of the founding of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization in 1945, World Food Day, is celebrated widely by many other organizations concerned with hunger and food security, including the World Food Programme and the International Fund for Agricultural Development. WFP received the Nobel Prize in Peace for 2020 for their efforts to combat hunger, contribute to peace in conflict areas, and for playing a leading role in stopping the use of hunger in the form of a weapon for war and conflict.
Since 1981, World Food Day has adopted a different theme each year in order to highlight areas needed for action and provide a common focus. FAO issued World Food Day medals each year to commemorate and promote the anniversary.
World Food Day 2021: Significance
World Food Day is celebrated to mark the anniversary of the founding of the FAO of the United Nations, every year. This day aims at tackling global hunger and striving to eradicate hunger across the world.
The day is also observed by organisations like World Food Programme and International Fund for Agricultural Development. Since 1981, World Food Day has celebrated various themes to highlight the importance of food security, with most of them revolving around agriculture.
World Food Day 2021: History
World Food Day was established in November 1979, as suggested by former Hungarian minister of agriculture and food Dr Pal Romany. It gradually became a way to raise awareness about hunger, malnutrition, sustainability and food production.
World Food Day ‘promotes global awareness and action for those who suffer from hunger and for the need to ensure healthy diets for all’. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO) designated 16 October as World Food Day in 1979.
World Food Day 2021: Theme
This year the emphasis of World Food Day is on celebrating food heroes or individuals who have contributed to building a sustainable world where no one has to go hungry. The idea is to contribute to the idea of building a hunger-free world.
In 2020, the theme for World Food Day was, “Grow, nourish, sustain. Together. Our actions are our future.” This was decided keeping in mind the suffering of millions during the coronavirus pandemic.
In spite of the importance of agriculture as the driving force in the economies of many developing countries, this vital sector is frequently starved of investment. In particular, foreign aid to agriculture has shown marked declines over the past 20 years.
1981: Food comes first
1982: Food comes first
1983: Food security
1984: Women in agriculture
1985: Rural poverty
1986: Fishermen and fishing communities
1987: Small farmers
1988: Rural youth
1989: Food and the environment
1990: Food for the future
1991: Trees for life
1992: Food and nutrition
1993: Harvesting nature’s diversity
1994: Water for life
1995: Food for all
1996: Fighting hunger and malnutrition
1997: Investing in food security
1998: Women feed the world
1999: Youth against hunger
2000: A millennium free from hunger
2001: Fight hunger to reduce poverty
2002: Water: source of food security
2003: Working together for an international alliance against hunger
2004: Biodiversity for food security
2005: Agriculture and intercultural dialogue
2006: Investing in agriculture for food security
2007: The right to food
2008: World food security: the challenges of climate change and bioenergy
2009: Achieving food security in times of crisis
2010: United against hunger
2011: Food prices – from crisis to stability
2012: Agricultural cooperatives – key to feeding the world
2013: Sustainable Food Systems for Food Security and Nutrition
2014: Family Farming: “Feeding the world, caring for the earth”
2015: “Social Protection and Agriculture: Breaking the Cycle of Rural Poverty”
2016: Climate change: “Climate is changing. Food and agriculture must too”
2017: Change the future of migration. Invest in food security and rural development.
2018: “Our Actions Are Our Future, Ending World Hunger by 2030 is Possible”
2019: “Our Actions Are Our Future, Healthy Diets for A # ZeroHunger World”
2020: “Grow, Nourish, Sustain. Together”
2021: “Safe food now for a healthy tomorrow”.
In over 150 countries, events mark World Food Day.
