As part of the World Food Day (WFD) 2022 celebrations, FAO-Pakistan’s Provincial Office of Punjab arranged multiple activities in close collaboration with the relevant stakeholders. The WFD activities were planned to keep in view the theme for this year; “Leave no one behind; better production, better nutrition, better environment, and better life”.

World Food Day 2022 activities in Punjab started with building the skills of farmers in natural options for achieving sustainable climate resilience in Farmer Field School during a session held in Basti Korai at UC Chijra, district Muzaffargarh. Where farmers learned composting skills to achieve a better environment.

Women, girls and children were equally included in WFD 2022 celebrations. In this connection “We must all be the change” sessions were held with smallholder women farmers in Women Open School, district Khanewal, Al-Hamd Women Open School, Bakain, district Multan, Khushhaali Women Open School, Basti Thaheem Wala, UC Makhdoom Rasheed district Multan and Sojhla Women Open School, district Muzaffargarh.

Through these sessions, FAO regional team members highlighted the vital role women farmers could play in eradicating hunger by producing food for al all. They were also sensitized on how through better production they could improve their lives.

In the session held in Sojhla Open School, district Muzaffargarh, children of the women farmers also participated.  A drawing competition was organized for these children. Through the paintings, children highlighted the value of food and the importance of putting a stop to food wastage. Prizes were also distributed among the winners/participants.

In the similar vein, an awareness session was organized on the theme “Leave no one behind” with Government Girls Primary School in village 95/10R, district Khanewal.

GCF Management team Ms. Hang Pham, (Lead Technical Officer), Ms. Emelda Berejena, (Technical Advisor) also joined in one of these sessions.

FAO- Regional team also arranged an orientation session on WFD awareness and joint actions with District Agriculture Extension Department, district Khanewal. Deputy Director Agriculture Extension, Assistant Directors and Agriculture Officers of respective tehsils, Subject Matter Specialist from Adaptive Research district Vehari, Scientific Officer from Agronomic Research Station participated in this session. FAO team highlighted the importance of World Food Day and discussed how FAO team and farmers trained by FAO are contributing towards food sustainability.

Information, education and communication material (IEC) material was also distributed among officials of  Agriculture Extension and OFWM departments during various meetings and sessions.