Vietnam observes World Food Day 2017

This year’s World Food Day explored the theme “Investing in food security and rural development and changing the future of migration”. This is also an important area of cooperation between FAO and the Government of Vietnam.

According to the Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Le Quoc Doanh, rural development can address factors that compel people to move by creating business opportunities and jobs for young people other than crop-based jobs, such as small dairy or poultry production, food processing or horticulture enterprises.

It could also lead to increased food security, more resilient livelihoods, better access to social protection, and reduced conflict over natural resources and solutions to environmental degradation and climate change, he added.

In recent years, FAO has implemented a number of projects in Bac Kan province aimed at eradicating poverty, and addressing issues such as inequality, unemployment and the decline of rural resources.

Specific projects have significantly helped improve the living conditions for local people as well as generate jobs for young ones.

Also at the ceremony, the framework of the National Cooperative Programme between FAO and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development for the 2017-2021 period was signed as an effort to promote FAO's development activities in Vietnam.