FAO gives tips to achieve zero hunger by 2030

The Director-General of Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO), Mr Qu Dong Yu, has suggested that to achieve zero hunger by 2030, all forms of malnutrition must be globally addressed among various income groups.

Yu said this on Wednesday to mark World Food Day 2019 in Maiduguri, Borno State.

He explained that this year’s celebration, on the theme: ‘Healthy Diets for a Zero Hunger World,’ focuses on healthy diets among the peoples across the globe.

The Director-General, who was represented by FAO’s Head, Maiduguri Office, Mr Al Hassan Cisse, said, “Eradicating hunger is FAO’s topmost priority, but we also need to address all forms of malnutrition.”

He disclosed that the latest data shows that malnutrition is increasing across all regions and among income groups. He, therefore, called for interventions to make affordable healthy and sustainable diets accessible to everyone.

He said that to achieve this, there should be fundamental partnership among governments, farmers, researchers, the organised private sector and consumers.

According to him, all the partners have a role to play in overcoming the challenges of increasing malnutrition, particularly among children below the age of five.

“Farmers need better incentives to increase and diversify the production of high quality food. The governments need to adopt policies, food standards and regulations that prioritise the availability and affordability of safe and nutritious foods.”