The 2017 World Food Day drew the world attention to the hunger, poverty, disputes, climate change as the root causes and force people to emigrate. With the theme ‘Change the future of migration. Invest in food security and rural development’, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) joined the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) to celebrate this significant day together with, the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) and partner organizations.                                 

Over 600 people, including government officials, United Nations and civil society organization representatives, communities as well as local authorities were getting together on 17 October 2017 at Tboung Khmum province to celebrate the 37th World Food Day (WFD) to promote countrywide awareness and action for those who suffer from hunger and for the need to ensure food security and nutritious diets for all. It was a recognition of the importance of agriculture in addressing food security and rural development which lead to ending hunger by 2030.

His Excellency Veng Sakhon, Minister of MAFF, addressed that, “To end hunger by 2030, it is a must to highlight a linkage between food security, rural development, and migration, which is the key solution to the problem. This topic is strongly relevant to the Sustainable Development Goal 2 (SDG 2) “achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture.” To tackle the problem, the Royal Government of Cambodia also established the National Strategic Plan 2016-2025 for the Zero Hunger Challenge in Cambodia.”

Globally, more people have been forced to flee their homes than at any time since the Second World War due to increased conflict and political instability. But hunger, poverty, and an increase in extreme weather events linked to climate change are other important factors contributing to the migration challenge.

Many migrants arrive in developing countries, creating tensions where resources are already scarce, but the majority, about 763 million, move within their own countries rather than abroad.

In Cambodia, as based on an official data of the Ministry of Labor and Vocational Training, there are 116,000 migrants working in Thailand, 43, 571 working in South Korea, 46, 452 working in Malaysia, 2, 383 working in Japan, and few hundred others working in Singapore, as well as other countries within the region.

H.E Veng Sakhon stressed that such mobility is not because of disputes or political instability like other countries, but it is due to the economic condition. They could not see any other choices besides moving out for jobs or other better opportunities.

Mr. Alexendre Hyunh, FAO representative, said that “agriculture and rural development are keys to addressing root cause of migration. He also stressed FAO message that “many of extreme poor base their livelihoods on agriculture or other rural activities. Therefore, creating conditions that allow rural people, especially youth, to stay at home when they feel it is safe to do so, and to have more resilient livelihoods, is a crucial component of any plan to tackle the migration challenge.” 

WFP country representative, Ms. Nancy Walters also strongly conveyed the message of this year WFD through her speech at the event “we understand hunger, conflict and migration are linked, and on World Food Day 2017 we make a plea for peace. By working towards Zero Hunger and nutrition – Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 2, we can tackle many of the issues that cause people to migrate.”

The event also included other interesting activities namely the visiting to the best and successful farmer in raising chickens, homegrown vegetable gardens, and exhibition of organic products produced by farmers.