The Department of Agriculture, together with its bureaus and attached agencies, celebrated with more than 150 nations across the globe the annual World Food Day on October 17, 2017.

As part of the worldwide campaign of the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization, WFD is held every year to increase awareness on hunger and poverty and encourage everyone to take action and participate in initiatives for the production of sufficient food for all.

In the Philippines, the celebration started on October 9 with festivities at the DA compound, including the showcase of a variety of locally-produced food items including Halal products.

WFD 2017 Chairperson Atty. Ranibai Dilangalen, in her message stressed that government units must come together to create measures that would address the movement of rural dwellers to the Metropolis, citing that this migration has left farms unproductive.

“We must assure our kababayans living in the countryside of sustainable livelihood opportunities so they will not be forced to go to the cities to find work to feed their families,” Dilangalen said.

This year’s theme Change the Future of Migration, calls for a unified action from all nations to invest in rural development and food security. ###