Food unites and at the same time, it is one of the essential elements that require constant intervention to keep the cycle going and maintain a balance. Food is the basic element that keeps humans going.
According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), almost one in ten people globally are undernourished, and more than 3 billion cannot afford a healthy diet. Climate change as well as various conflicts are key factors contributing to growing food insecurity across the globe. World Food Day World Food Day is one of the most celebrated UN days of the UN calendar.
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO) designated October 16 as World Food Day in 1979. The day promotes global awareness and action for those who suffer from hunger and highlights the need to ensure healthy diets for all.
World Food Day 2022 Theme
The theme for World Food Day 2022 is Leave NO ONE behind. This year, we face multiple global challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic, conflict, climate change, rising prices and international tensions.
As per FAO, Buy and consume only what you need!
Effective meal planning, proper food storage, creative leftover recipes and composting can all contribute to a more sustainable future where food systems are inclusive and work with nature, and not against it. Apart from this, choose local foods that travel short distances from farm to table, limit consumption of resource-intensive foods and eat seasonal fruits and vegetables and reduce your food waste.
Millets, The Superfood And Odisha Connection
Odisha has undertaken a special programme for the promotion of millets in tribal areas.
Why Millets?
Millets are a group of highly variable small-seeded grasses, widely grown around the world as cereal crops/ grains. They are tiny in size, round in shape and can be white, gray, yellow or red. Millets are highly nutritious and rich in Vitamin B, Calcium, Iron, Potassium, Magnesium, Zinc.
Millets are Gluten-free and have low Glycemic index (GI), making them suitable for diabetics, weight-watchers, and people intolerant to wheat. Apart from this, millets are great source of starch, making it a high-energy food and an excellent source of protein and fiber.
PM Narendra Modi’s Appeal
In his latest monthly address to the nation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that 2023 will be celebrated as the International Year of Millets. The U.N. General Assembly on April 2021 adopted a resolution which was sponsored by India and declared 2023 as the International Year of Millets.
MoU signed between Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare and NAFED to boost International Year of Millets (IYOM)-2023
Both organizations will work together for the promotion and marketing of millet-based products, keeping in view the initiative of “International Year of Millets (IYOM)-2023” proposed by the Government of India to the United Nations, which is to be celebrated across the world.