Ninh Thuan - The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in Viet Nam celebrated the 36^th World Food Day in Ninh Thuan province today with the theme “Climate is changing, food and agriculture must too” and also marked the 71^st anniversary of FAO.

FAO Representative in Viet Nam Mr. JongHa Bae; MARD Vice Minister Mr. Le Quoc Doanh; Ninh Thuan People’s Committee’s Vice Chairman, Mr.Tran Quoc Nam; staff from FAO and MARD; representatives from NinhThuan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and some neighbouring coastal provinces; institutes; students and local farmers participated in this event.

On a global scale, climate change poses a significant challenge to food security and direct impacts on livelihoods of the poorest and the people who are the most vulnerable to natural disasters and climate change. As estimated, the global population is expected to reach 9.6 billion by 2050. To meet such a heavy demand, agriculture and food systems will need to become not only more resilient, productive and sustainable but also more innovative and creative in technology and good practices along the whole value chains.

In response, FAO believes there are seven different areas related to food and agriculture where change needs to happen if nations want to achieve Zero Hunger in the context of adapting to extreme events caused by climate change. They are agriculture, food loss and waste, food systems, fisheries, forestry, livestock and natural resources.

This year’s theme is especially meaningful for Viet Nam as this is the first year its agriculture has experienced negative growth for the past 30 years due to natural disasters. Especially, rice production has been dramatically reduced.

It is particularly pertinent that this year’s WFD ceremony is held in Ninh Thuan where recent drought has critically affected crops, livestock and people who had to suffer water shortage for domestic use. The province has been being supported by the international community and implementing a FAO-funded project on nutrition and food security for the children and vulnerable groups.

At the ceremony, MARD Vice Minister Le Quoc Doanh stated “Vietnam is one of the countries hardest hit by climate change and natural disasters. Climate change and sea level rise are forecast to reduce 7.2 million tonnes of rice and affect 32.2% of agricultural land by the end of this century... In order to scale up the climate smart agriculture models, farming households – the smallest production unit, should be empowered to adapt to the local conditions; rural women and gender equality in agriculture should be paid more attention. This will make a contribution to sustainable reduction of poverty, food security, political stability and socio-economic development”.

“FAO is ready to assist Viet Nam in adapting to climate change and, at the same time, mitigate its effects. We are working to help farmers, pastoralists, fishers and forest dwellers by developing their capacities to adapt to climate change and advising on how to integrate adaptation practices in national policies,” said Mr. JongHa Bae.

To mark the event, an FAO publication “Farmer Field School Guidance” was also launched to showcase FAO’s work to combat climate change impacts and create more sustainable agriculture and food systems.

After the ceremony, the FAO and MARD delegations visited the Demonstration on Integrated Crop Management Cultivation for Fresh Cooking Hybrid Maize Crop on Paddy Land in Cong Hai commune, Thuan Bac District in Ninh Thuan. This is a site of a FAO technical assistance project funded by the joint Government - UN programme on integrated nutrition and food security.