World Food Day 2023 was held at the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday.
Union Minister for Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation U Min Naung, Union Minister for Cooperatives and Rural Development U Hla Moe, Union Minister for Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation U Khin Maung Yi, deputy ministers, the permanent secretaries, directors-general, rectors and departmental officials attended the event.
Speaking at the event, the MoALI Union minister highlighted the theme of World Food Day—Water is life, water is food. Leave no one behind, saying water is essential to life on Earth.
According to the UN, globally, nearly 2.4 billion people live in countries where the supply of water is limited. Only 2.5 per cent of water is freshwater.
Moreover, 74 per cent of natural disasters that occurred in two decades were due to floods and that caused losses worth US$700 billion.
He then added that the country has an adequate supply of agricultural and livestock products with 154.33 per cent of rice security, 126.2 per cent of cooking oil security and 512 per cent of pulses and beans security so it represents 28.8 per cent of total exports of the country.
He then talked about the need to consider and prepare for the distribution of irrigation water to summer paddy plantations and supply of drinking water to regions as the country might face the possible consequences of El Nino.
Additionally, he pledged to make effective plans for the impacts of El Nino that are likely to occur until mid-2024 through negotiation with the relevant departments, the public, farmers and entrepreneurs.
Then, the video message of the FAO Secretary-General for World Food Day and a video clip featuring activities of the government for World Food Day were played. — MNA/KTZH
