World Food Day 2020 | UPSC
HEADLINES:
World Food Day 2020 : Dr Harsh Vardhan chairs event on ‘World Food Day’ organized by FSSAI
WHY IN NEWS:
“India on the road to be trans-fat free by 2022, in line with Prime Minister’s vision of New India”
SYLLABUS COVERED: GS 3: Food Security : UN Observance
LEARNING:
For PRELIMS it is important to understand the significance of the theme and the aim of this event.
For MAINS take a note on Food security , digitisation and agriculture , Covid-19 and food system .
ISSUE:
WORLD FOOD DAY 2020
- The COVID-19 global health crisis has been a time to reflect on things we truly cherish and our most basic needs.
- Food is the essence of life and the bedrock of our cultures and communities.
- Poor and vulnerable communities are hit hardest by the pandemic and resulting economic shocks.
- Food heroes are making sure that food makes its way from farm to fork even amid disruptions as unprecedented as the current COVID-19 crisis.
TIME TO BUILD BACK BETTER!
- In recent decades the world has made significant progress in improving agricultural productivity.
- These should be based on scientific evidence so they can build back better and improve food systems.
- Although we now produce more than enough food to feed everyone, our food systems are out of balance.
ISSUES UNDERLINING THIS IMBALANCE
- Hunger
- Obesity
- Environmental degradation
- Loss of agro-biological diversity
- Food loss and wastage
- Lack of security for food chain workers .
AIM
- World Food Day calls for global solidarity to help all populations, and especially the most vulnerable.
- To recover from the crisis, and to make food systems more resilient and robust so they can withstand increasing volatility and climate shocks.
- This will require improved social protection schemes and new opportunities offered through digitalization and e-commerce.
- Also more sustainable agricultural practices that preserve the Earth’s natural resources, our health, and the climate.
CELEBRATIONS
- United Nation’s Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) marked October 16 of every year as World Food Day in the year 1979.
- World Food Day 2020 also marks the 75th anniversary of FAO.
- Gradually, the day turned into a global event, creating awareness about food shortage and reviving food systems across the globe.
THEME 2020
- Every year, World Food Day endeavours to promote food and preserve food resources.
OUR ACTIONS ARE OUR FUTURE
- Countries need to make sure that our food systems grow a variety of food to nourish a growing population and sustain the planet, together.
- We all have a role to play, from increasing the overall demand for nutritious food by choosing healthy.
- Also , not letting sustainable habits fall by the wayside, despite these uncertain times.
CLOSING THE DIGITAL GAP
- Digital technologies are key to transforming the way food is produced, processed, traded and consumed .
- They have the potential to close the great digital gap between developed and developing countries, cities and rural areas, men and women, young and old.
- New technologies promise revolutionary changes for smallholder farmers.
TECHNOLOGICAL INTERVENTIONS
- This includes satellite imaging
- Remote sensing and mobile
- Block chain Apps with the potential to optimize food chains
- Increase access to nutritious foods
- Reduce food loss and waste
- Improve water management
- Fight against pests and diseases
- Monitor forests or prepare farmers for disasters.
FAO CONTRIBUTIONS
- FAO supports the countries as they identify partnerships to make this a reality, including investment opportunities from the private sector.
- This will be crucial to build the necessary infrastructure – broadband connections, data service providers etc.
- FAO offers sound technical advice on how better regulation and adequate training can pave the way to a digital future for food and agriculture.
IASbhai WINDUP:
- The need of consuming nutritious food got the long-due impetus and the problem of food scarcity got the attention it really needed.
- Back home in India, PM Narendra Modi will also be launching a commemorative coin to mark the special day.
SOURCES:THE HINDU & PIB | World Food Day 2020 | UPSC

DISCOVER MORE : UN Observance
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