The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) has launched the International Year of Fruits and Vegetables 2021 (IYFV) with a view to reducing food loss and waste.
IYFV, which was proclaimed at the 74th session of the UN General Assembly, is dedicated to raising awareness about the important role of fruits and vegetables in human nutrition, food security and health.
It is understood that up to 50 percent of fruits and vegetables produced in developing countries are lost in the supply chain between harvest and consumption.
For instance, in Sub-Saharan Africa, where rural populations depend heavily on food production for their income, the problem of post-harvest losses (PHL) is common.
The Director-General of the FAO, QU Dongyu, said the initiative was a unique opportunity to raise global awareness against food loss and waste.
He said that the Covid-19 pandemic had challenged people to find new ways of fighting hunger and malnutrition, adding that IYFV would highlight the role of digital technologies in improving nutrition and market opportunities.
Food loss and waste reduction improves food security and nutrition, reduces greenhouse gas emissions, lowers pressure on water and land resources and can increase productivity and economic growth.
‘In the current health crisis we are facing around the world, promoting healthy diets to strengthen our immune systems is especially appropriate’, FAO statement quoted Qu as saying.
He encouraged countries to see the IYFV as an opportunity to improve infrastructure, farming practices, thereby supporting small-scale farmers.
Also, FAO and the World Health Organisation (WHO) recommended that each adult consumes at least 400 grams of fruit and vegetables on a daily basis to prevent chronic diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and obesity.
In his message, UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, called for a more ‘holistic approach’ to nutrition and sustainability.
He noted that next year’s Food Systems Summit would also be an opportunity to consider the fragility of food systems.
Source: FAO
Photo source: IBM Research
