World Food Day
World Food Day was proclaimed in 1979 by the Conference of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). It marks the date of the founding of FAO in 1945. The aim of the Day is to heighten public awareness of the world food problem and strengthen solidarity in the struggle against hunger, malnutrition and poverty. In 1980, the General Assembly endorsed observance of the Day in consideration of the fact that \"food is a requisite for human survival and well-being and a fundamental human necessity\" (resolution 35/70 of 5 December 1980). The first International Day of Rural Women was observed on 15 October 2008. This new international day, established by the UN General Assembly in its resolution 62/136 of 18 December 2007, recognizes “the critical role and contribution of rural women, including indigenous women, in enhancing agricultural and rural development, improving food security and eradicating rural poverty.” Small food producers are composed of farmers, agricultural workers, fisherfolks, pastoralists, indigenous peoples and women, men and young people (CSM Lobbying Document on developing guidelines/framework/code on responsible agricultural investment). Food Sovereignty is the inalienable RIGHT of peoples, communities, and countries to define, decide and implement their own agricultural, labour, fishing, food and land policies which are ecologically, socially, economically and culturally appropriate to their unique circumstances. Rights of small producers; indigenous peoples for self-determination; gender justice in food and agriculture; and rights of agricultural workers are part of this struggle and are directly linked to the right to life and livelihoods. Widget by Way2Blogging

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Wednesday, October 17, 2012

National Level Conference on Land acquisition and its impact on food sovereignty.

A National level Conference was held in Colombo yesterday (16th Oct)  with the participation of diplomats and representatives from 18 districts out of 25. It was organized by the People's Alliance for Right to Land (PARL).
Dr. Jayampathi Samarakoon, a consultant for integrated coastal management, was given the guest speech on the topic of  food security, land use management and the future. During his presentation, he pointed out that, according to the world bank report of 2011,  80% of Sri Lanka population lives in rural areas, the rural poor population accounts for 95%of country's poor. state sector poverty increased from 21% to 30.5%  during 1990/91 to 2002. Agriculture's share in GDP and employment in agriculture sector have declined, over 60 percent of families in North are food insecure and also food insecurity in East also very high.    
He also mentioned that, According to the world food Program report released in 2011, staple food price in Sri Lanka are the highest in the region.
food security requires adequate land and water, According to the Director of mine bureau and Geological survey running out of ground water in North-Western province in Sri Lanka.
In his suggestive conclusion, he pointed out that,
Food production and supply are declining, cannot pace with demand.
Food insecurity is increasing accompanied by looming problem in regard to food imports.
Foreign debt is casing  thereby imposing a serious burden on the future generation.
Imbalance between "small scale" and "large scale" food producers is increasing, the former is the loser.
Awareness about the "big picture" is inadequate both in regards to Sri Lanka and globally.    
And finally he suggested to build awareness at all levels to protect small scale food producing ecosystem and Impart countervailing power to small scale food producers at rural level through organizing and by networking for effective negotiation with the state.
Several other speakers also expressed their views on food sovereignty and issues we are facing after ends of war in the country.




During the program a report on resettlement of IDP in North of Sri Lanka was launched. it has been prepared after field visit of team from few organization including NAFSO.
 
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