Celebrations of WFD

The celebrations of World Food Day were under the theme "The climate is changing. Food and Agriculture must too ".


During the event the FAO Representative in Mozambique said that "climate change is a reality in the country and urged the producers to greater adaptation to climate change in order to mitigate negative impacts".


"Right now we are experiencing a prolonged drought because of El Niño, we are about to enter a rainy season and in some parts of the country we will probably experience La Niña yet farmers need to produce food, so they need to adapt", he said.


Castro Camarada also said that intense deforestation and food wastage contribute for global warming. Climate change directly affects crop production, livestock, forestry and fisheries and the way this resources are managed also impact on the climate.


It is estimated that about 30% of what is produced is wasted and this also needs to be addressed through better practices of production, post-harvest but also consumption.


"We have to manage better our resources so that future generations also have enough food, fiber fuel etc. At the same time we need enough nutritious food for an increasing population as without a properly nourished population we can´t have economic and social development" he noted.


The central ceremonies in Mozambique were held on Ka Mubukuane district in Maputo.
The event was attended by the provincial and district government authorities and several members of civil society and farmer's associations.


During the occasion, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (MASA), Ilídio Miguel, said that "despite the situation of floods and droughts that have affected the country, the challenge is to focus actions on increasing production and productivity".


It is estimated that the next campaign to be launched on 28 October in Mopeia, in Zambezia Province, will achieve 2.4 million tons of cereals.


"To transform subsistence farmers in market-oriented producers is also a challenge for MASA" according to Ilídio Miguel.


"The participation of producers in regional and international markets is also an important challenge. We must produce, not only for our consumption but we must also look at the market".


The event had a few cultural moments including dance, music and theater with messages that highlight the need to give more attention to climate change.


A nutrition technician from MASA also presented a lecture about how to prepare healthy food that should include four to seven diverse colors. An exhibition also took place displaying agricultural products, fish and small livestock species.


In Mozambique, more than 80% of the population lives on agricultural related livelihoods that can be hardly affected by climate change.