World Food Day: Transformation of agri-food systems in West Africa

The 42nd World Food Day (WFD) was celebrated with pomp and ceremony in all countries on 16 October 2022 under the theme: “Leave no one behind – Improving production, nutrition, environment and living conditions”.

In West Africa, like the international community, WFD was marked by various activities with decision-makers and the population and the strong involvement of FAO Country Offices and their partners. Established in 1981 at the initiative of FAO, World Food Day aims to mobilize collective awareness and action in favor of the victims of hunger and malnutrition. Despite the considerable progress made throughout the world to ensure sustainable access to sufficient and nutritious food for all, the challenges of hunger, malnutrition, natural resource degradation and social inequalities remain pressing.

This theme calls for a convergence of commitment and action by governments, the private sector, research institutions and food heroes to rapidly transform our agri-food systems and for an equitable redistribution of resources so that no one is left behind.

Indeed, hunger worldwide, particularly in West Africa, is on the rise again, after a period of regression. At the same time, the 2030 deadline for the Sustainable Development Goals, at the heart of which is the “zero hunger” objective, is upon us. It is therefore fitting that the theme chosen by the FAO this year is “Leaving no one behind – Improving production, nutrition, environment and living conditions”.

The celebration was part of the implementation of FAO’s Strategic Plan 2022-2031 for global solidarity and action for the transformation of agri-food systems to build resilience, move forward and achieve sustainable development.

World Food Day 2022 comes at a time when humanity is facing serious food security challenges caused by the covid-19 pandemic, the climate crisis, environmental climate crisis, environmental degradation and biodiversity loss, armed conflict, and other humanitarian issues and emergencies. Food prices have soared to record levels; fertilizer is becoming too expensive for many farmers; the number of people facing food insecurity is increasing. As always, the poorest are the worst affected.

The various celebrations highlighted the results of FAO’s interventions in countries in support of governments and producers’ associations. Scientific conferences, popular animations, exchanges with pupils and students, actions to sensitize populations to adopt good agricultural and nutrition practices also to protect the environment, the countries in West Africa did not lack ideas to draw attention to the issues of food and nutrition security after two years of interruption due to the COVID-19 health crisis.

Credit:FAO