YAP, FSM. Dr. Murukesan Krishnapillai, Researcher/Extension Specialist, Yap Agricultural Experiment Station
Yap Cooperative Research and Extension (CRE) and College of Micronesia-FSM Yap Campus Agriculture students participated in the 2014 World Food Day celebrations in Yap.
World Food Day is celebrated every year around the world on 16 October in honor of the date of the founding of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations in 1945. The 2014 World Food Day theme - Family Farming: “Feeding the world, caring for the earth” - has been chosen to raise the profile of family farming and smallholder farmers. It focuses world attention on the significant role of family farming in eradicating hunger and poverty, providing food security and nutrition, improving livelihoods, managing natural resources, protecting the environment, and achieving sustainable development, in particular in rural areas. The UN General Assembly has designated 2014 “International Year of Family Farming.” This is a strong signal that the international community recognizes the important contribution of family farmers to world food security.
This year, Yap State observed the World Food Day along with 2014 International Day for Disaster Reduction on October 17, at Colonia Community Center. The event was organized by the International Organization for Migration, Yap Office in association with Yap Interagency Nutrition Education Council.
Yap CRE is an active promoter of integrated family farming for food and nutrition security. Family farming is a way of life with a future and is the best way to ensure islands’ food security. It guarantees food in a sustainable manner while taking care of islands’ environment and respecting traditions and cultures.
As part of the celebrations, Yap CRE participated in the event and exhibited various urban farm models and low-cost food production systems, displayed posters on chicken farming and distributed brochures and pamphlets on family farming and safe food handling procedures, raising awareness of the issues behind successful family farming and their role in ensuring food security. Some of our vertical urban garden models attracted special attention of the public. Ag students exhibited and sold a range of fresh garden produce and plants grown as part of their course work.
