Today 16th October is the World Food Day.

An international day celebrated yearly around the world in honour of the date of the founding of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations in 1945.

The celebration today also coincided with the 75th Anniversary of FAO.

Theme for this year’s annual celebration is: Grow, Nourish, Sustain. Together. Our Actions are our Future.

However, with the impact of the global pandemic, countries were advised to choose alternate ways to mark the important day.

For Solomon Islands, the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAL) is organising a talkback show over the National Broadcaster, SIBC from 9am-12pm today.

The program will be broadcasted live and livestreamed on SIBC News Facebook page.

MAL Under Secretary Technical (UST), Michael Ho’ota said due to the state of public emergency (SOPE) and Covid-19 safety measures, the ministry opted to use radio instead of organising public shows like they always did for past events.

“This is an important event that we have to commemorate as it is the only day in the year that we highlight issues affecting agriculture nationally and globally.

“However, with the impact of Covid-19 pandemic as well as financial limitations it affected the implementation of this important annual event therefore we have to resort to a low key but fitting activity to mark the day,” he said.

The Program today will involve speech presentations from the Minister of Agriculture and Livestock and speech from the FAO in-country office.

Invitees from government line ministries, stakeholders, reps from donor partners, NGO reps and farmers representatives are expected to be part of the program.

Source: MAL Press Release