Phnom Penh – The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) and its partner organizations participated in the World Food Day 2014 celebration under the theme “Family Farming: Feeding the World, Caring for the Earth.”

The theme reflects that 2014 is the International Year of Family Farming which aims to raise the profile of family farming and smallholder farming by focusing world attention on its significant role in eradicating hunger and poverty, providing food security and nutrition, improving livelihoods, managing natural resources, protecting the environment, and achieving sustainable development, in particular in rural areas.

The Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries His Excellency Dr. Ouk Rabun explained, “Family farms play a crucial role in providing nutritious food both to rural communities and cities.”

“The Royal Government of Cambodia and the international community are working together to achieve food and nutrition security in Cambodia so that farmers can better provide for their families, communities and the Cambodian nation,” he added.

Family farming is central to Cambodia and plays a major role on a wider scale too. The FAO Country Representative in Cambodia, Ms. Nina Brandstrup, said family farms remain at the centre of Cambodian life defining everything from the national economy to traditional arts and culture. “Nearly 2 million Cambodian households are dependent on small family farms, both for their daily food and for their livelihoods opportunities,” said Brandstrup. “Let’s recognize and honour the contribution of farming families in Cambodia and beyond to feeding the world and protecting our natural resources.”

According FAO’s State of Food Insecurity in the World 2014 report, the proportion of undernourished people in Cambodia has been reduced by 50 percent since the 1990s down to 2.4 million, a proof of the progress made by the Cambodian Government, the United Nations and humanitarian organizations in achieving ZERO HUNGER in the country.

“This shows why the international community must continue to strive towards achieving the Secretary General’s vision of a world with “zero hunger”, so that Cambodian children and families can build their futures and farmers can better provide for themselves and help their communities become self-sufficient,” said WFP Country Representative, Mr. Gianpietro Bordignon. “Thanks to the work we do with our partners on school feeding, nutrition, and building the resilience of communities to withstand shocks, millions of Cambodians are now better able to focus on building a future free of hunger for themselves and the next generation.”

In honour of farming families feeding Cambodia, FAO, WFP and UN Women have jointly released a short film on the contribution of Cambodian female farmers. The film is part of a larger effort to raise awareness of the role of women in achieving “zero hunger” and food security in Cambodia.

Speakers: His Excellency Dr. Ouk Rabun, Minister of MAFF, Ms. Nina Brandstrup, FAO Country Representative in Cambodia, Ms. Edith Heines, WFP Deputy Country Director in Cambodia, and representatives from NGOs.

For further information, please contact:

Khmer: Mr. Meas Pyseth, member of World Food Day 2014 Organizing Committee, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF); cell: 012-759-440; email: [email protected],

English: Ms. Botumroath Keo Lebun, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO); cell: 012-885-727; email: [email protected].