The World Food Programme (WFP) Centre of Excellence Against Hunger Brazil, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) have joined forces with the Government of Bahia and the Bahia Sem Fome programme for World Food Day 2023 activities.
Celebrated every year on October 16, the date is one of the most important in the United Nations calendar, and this year had as its theme “Water is life. Water is food.” The date was commemorated with a ceremony at the Museum of Modern Art (MAM), in Salvador, on the 16th, which brought together representatives of international agencies, the Governor of Bahia, Jerônimo Rodrigues, representatives of ministries and other key actors for a call to action.
“Adequate access to water is critical for growing fresh foods, such as fruits and vegetables, which are rich in nutrients essential for human health,” said Daniel Balaban, director of WFP’s Centre of Excellence Against Hunger in Brazil. “Investing in solutions that ensure a reliable supply of water is therefore essential to promote food security, improve health and well-being, and contribute to a more sustainable future,” he added.
Essential for life and food production, only 3% of the planet’s water is fresh, suitable for consumption, agriculture and most industrial uses. On the other hand, more than 80% of wastewater is released into the environment without being treated or reused.
Strategic partnerships
During the event, the WFP Center of Excellence and the Government of Bahia signed a memorandum of understanding to support the state in training managers and people involved with food and nutrition security and to implement policies to combat hunger and develop research on the subject in the state.
In addition, the date marked the announcement of the partnership between WFP and Fome de Tudo to support school feeding in Latin America and the Caribbean, developing activities in close collaboration with WFP’s Center of Excellence Against Hunger in Brazil.
Activities in Salvador
World Food Day also promoted a special projection on the Lacerda Elevator, presentations by the Folkloric Ballet of Bahia with a tribute to Iemanjá and the show Balé das Águas. Over the weekend, free activities were offered for the population, especially aimed at children.
During the morning of Saturday, the 14th, at Parque da Cidade, families participated in recreational activities and lectures on the importance of preserving the environment and nutrition. On the 15th, at Pituaçu Park, in addition to the lecture on nutrition, families participated in a game and planted trees.
Water use in the Beyond Cotton Project
Through the Beyond Cotton Project, which helps combine the sustainable production of cotton and its by-products with food production and agroforestry systems, WFP’s Centre of Excellence has supported countries in Africa to find solutions to fight hunger and promote adequate food through solutions that include proper water management.
The project promotes the use of simple but high-impact solutions, such as drip irrigation systems, opening cisterns, implementing underground dams and the adoption of the so-called economic beds, which require about 50% less water in food production when compared to conventional ones.
Learn more about the project here.