The main purpose of the holiday is to tell the public about the world food problem and give a reason to reflect on what has been done and what remains to be done to achieve a world free of hunger and malnutrition in all its forms.
The theme for World Food Day 2021 is “Our actions are our future. Better production, better nutrition, a better environment and a better life". The food we choose, how we produce it and how we consume it, affects our health and the health of our planet.
In public places of the city of Dushanbe, everyone was handed out information materials on the topic of healthy nutrition and food in general.
A large-scale event was carried out in the courtyard of the Serena Hotel with the participation of representatives of government agencies, international organizations, students, children and parents. The program includes creative and culinary master classes, an interactive detective show with characters representing fruits and vegetables, a quiz for students, a drawing competition on the theme of a gastronomic journey among children 5-19 years old, as well as musical and dance performances, gifts and a buffet for guests.
The holiday was also celebrated on public television. One of the local TV channels aired a program on food security and the importance of healthy nutrition.
On Monday 18 October, World Food Day celebrations will continue regionally. In the city of Buston, Sughd region, an extra-curricular lesson will be held for schoolchildren on the topic: "Proper nutrition and a healthy lifestyle are the key to health." Children will be able to consolidate the knowledge gained at an interactive performance, for participation in which they will receive nice gifts.
“For more than eight years, the Social and Industrial Foodservice Institute has partnered with the UN World Food Programme to develop a sustainable school feeding programme in Tajikistan - one of the main elements of the food system transformation chain. Over the years, we have managed to develop different models of school meals organization. School farms, local bakeries that deliver freshly baked bread to school canteens, educational activities to develop healthy eating skills for children and their parents - our joint actions help not only make the nutrition of elementary school students more affordable and sustainable, but also from an early age form kids' interest in the topic of healthy eating and reasonable consumption in order to raise a generation that is responsible for the planet and its resources, ”says Vladimir Chernigov, the SIFI President.
For the second year, the holiday has been celebrated at a time when all countries in the world are struggling with the large-scale consequences of the global COVID-19 pandemic. As stated on the official website of the UN FAO dedicated to the holiday: "It is time to look into the future that we must build together."
Societies need to work together to achieve sustainable development goals, grow local, seasonal, nutritious foods to make food systems more resilient, able to withstand climate change and supply chain disruptions.
“We celebrate World Food Day every year to appreciate the food we eat, but also to address issues related to hunger and malnutrition. Transforming food systems means eliminating wasteful patterns of food consumption, improving production and saving resources and environment, providing healthy and nutritious food for all. To achieve this transformation, we need to change policies, mindsets, behaviors and business models. It will depend on building consumer demand for sustainably produced and nutritious food, enhancing responsible business conduct in agriculture, strengthening local value chains, and improving nutrition,” emphasized Oleg Guchgeldiyev, FAO Representative in Tajikistan.
“This year we also celebrate 25 th anniversary of FAO working in Tajikistan”, he added. “FAO and the people of Tajikistan went together through the difficult times of recovery of the agricultural sector after the civil war, building of key sub sectors, such as veterinary, livestock and seeds production, supporting agricultural reforms to build a new agricultural sector. With the new FAO strategic settings, which include better production, better nutrition, better environment and better life, we are looking forward to moving forward with the government and the people of Tajikistan towards better food security and prosperity of the rural population in the country.”