Rwanda celebrates World Food Day 2019 in Rutsiro District
Rutsiro, October 31, 2019 – Rwanda today joined the rest of the World to celebrate World Food Day (WFD) in line with promoting awareness and action meant to achieve Zero Hunger.
The day is an opportunity to enhance coordination of various efforts for food security and nutrition. WFD is usually celebrated on 16th October every year, but each country is free to opt for a convenient date between 16th and 31st October.
The annual event is observed to promote worldwide awareness and action for those who suffer from hunger and for the need to achieve Zero Hunger, ensuring food security and nutritious diets for all. Held under the theme: “Our actions are our future. Healthy diets for a Zero Hunger World”, which is translated in Kinyarwanda as “Ibikorwa Byacu Nibyo Shingiro ry’Ejo Hazaza. Indyo Yuzuye mu Isi Izira Inzara”, this year’s WFD calls for action across sectors to make healthy and sustainable diets affordable and available for everyone. Celebration events for the day took place in Rwantozi village, Terimbere Cell, Nyabirasi Sector, Rutsiro District/Western Province.
The improving food security in the country is largely attributed to the growth of the agriculture sector as a result of different policies and initiatives undertaken by the government. They include Land Use Consolidation, Improved use of Agricultural inputs, Protection of land against soil erosion, Irrigation, Reduced post-harvest losses of both dried and fresh produce, One cow per poor family (Girinka), small livestock, and high value crops promotion among others.
“The Government of Rwanda, in collaboration with its partners, remains highly committed to ensure food security and nutrition in the country through continuous cooperation and support in the on-going process to achieve full food security and healthy diets as the theme for today’s World Food Day reminds us,” said the Minister of Agriculture and Animal Resources, Dr. Gerardine Mukeshimana, at the event in Rutsiro today.
A number of activities were carried out to mark this year’s WFD. Among others, they include community work of planting fruit trees to launch the three tree campaign to mobilise Rwandan families to grow nutritious foods, providing children with nutritious diets, and giving cows to needy families through Girinka programme.
