World Food Day 2017, marked annually on 16 October is akin to the national day of FAO and is observed this year together with WFP and IOM under the theme: Change the future of migration. Invest in food security and rural development.

In Sri Lanka, a panel discussion will take place on 17 October in Colombo to observe the day: the resource personnel for the discussion comprises Professor Emeritus Siri Hettige, Sociology Department of the University of Colombo, Dr. Bilesha Weeraratne, Research Fellow attached to the Labour, Employment and Human Resources Development unit at the Institute of Policy Studies (IPS) of Sri Lanka, and Mr. Mithra Kulatunga, a young farmer who chose to return to Sri Lanka after studies in Sustainable Agriculture in the United States.

The panellists will present on the push and pull factors which cause people to migrate, particularly those living in rural areas. Upstreaming the agriculture sector, improving the resilience of rural livelihoods to climate change, and creating off-farm job opportunities are seen as key factors in creating better conditions for people, especially youth, to remain in their home areas.

The event will also be addressed by the FAO Representative, Ms. Nina Brandstrup, WFP Country Director Ms. Brenda Barton, and IOM Chief of Mission Mr. Guiseppe Crocetti, while it will be commemorated with the participation of Dr. W. M. W. Weerakoon, Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, and other high level policy and decision makers including government ministries, embassies, academia, civil society, private sector, development organizations and youth groups.