The Department of Agriculture (DA) concludes the celebration of 2018 World Food Day (WFD) on October 16 at the Liwasang Aurora in Quezon City Circle with its theme: “Our Actions are our Future. A #ZeroHunger world by 2030 is possible”.

Agriculture Secretary Manny F. Piñol, together with Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Representative to the Philippines Jose Luis Fernandez and other DA key officials graced the culminating activity.

The #ZeroHunger campaign urges world leaders to come together and take account of lessons learned and adopt best practices to address hunger, malnutrition, and poverty.

Miss World 2013 and Zero Hunger Champion Megan Young also graced the said event. In her speech she stressed that food hunger and malnutrition can be resolved within us. She said zero hunger is possible if more people were informed and educated towards healthy and sustainable lifestyle.

“We can become zero hunger generation if we join forces across nations, across sectors, and professions,” Young said.

She said as an advocate it is very important that she will be able to change mindset and behavior of people towards proper eating of food and using earth resources wisely.

“I respect food because I respect my body and respecting food means knowing where the food comes from,” Young said.

Young said that the #ZeroHunger is possible thru the following actions: love your leftovers, adopt healthy and sustainable lifestyle, store food wisely, use less water, be a more conscious consumer, and educate yourself on food labeling.

In his message, Piñol urged DA employees to continue working hard towards achieving available and affordable food for every Filipino.

“Huwag tayong magpadala sa mga ingay na iyan kasi ang misyon natin nakapokus towards sustainable goals,” Piñol said.

“Our responsibility as food producers extend towards the next generation,” he added.

Piñol announced that the government’s five-year food security plan aims to help local government units to produce and secure enough food within their locality.

The Secretary added that through the Municipal and City Cluster Wide Food Security Summit last October 3,4,5, and 9, the government was able to draw out realistic and practical plan, which will serve as basis of programs and expenditures for 2020 and beyond.

Lastly, he urged the DA officials to fast-track the National Food Consumption Quantification study, thru the assistance of FAO, which will help the department in implementing programs. ### (Kristel Merle, DA-AFID)