Dr. Savita S. Manganavar
Coordinator & Head, institute of Baking Technology & Value Addition
Directorate of Extension
University of Agricultural Sciences
GKVK, Bangalore – 560 065
Celebration of World Food Day -2024 and Mahila Kisan Diwas
Every year on October 16, World Food Day is observed to honor the establishment of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) by the United Nations (UN). This program is commemorated with a specific theme every year. The purpose of World Food Day is to increase public awareness of issues related to the distribution and availability of food. This year’s World Food Day theme, “Right to Foods for a Better Life and a Better Future,” aims to highlight everyone’s right to a safe, cheap, accessible nutritious diet.
The University of Agriculture Sciences, Bangalore is celebrating its 60th year with exclusive events. University had organized celebration of World Food Day-2024 and Mahila Kisan Diwas on 16.10.2024 at the Dr. Babu Rajendra Prasad International Convention Centre, UAS, GKVK, Bangalore-560 065. Since, food is recognized as a fundamental human right, this event aims to raise awareness of global food security issues and support efforts to end hunger and malnutrition.
Sri. K. H. Muniyappa, Hon’ble Minister for Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, Government of Karnataka inaugurated the programme and addressed the participants and emphasized that, around Rs 90,000 crore worth of food is wasted annually in the country and it’s a prime responsibility of every citizen of our country to reduce the food wastage which can take care of additional 30% of foods availability and distribution. Further he also stressed on production of millets and organic farming so as to promote availability of pesticide free foods.
Dr. N. B. Prakash, Dean (Agri.), College of Agriculture, welcomed the gathering. Dr. K.C Narayanaswamy, Registrar, University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore in the introductory remarks highlighted about the history of the world Food Day and focused on food safety, organic farming and world food day specific theme of the year in the present scenario. Dr. S. V. Suresha, Hon’ble Vice Chancellor, UAS, Bangalore presided the programme and discussed on Food security and measures required to reduce the food wastage and highlighted University initiatives in terms of production and processing
Around 2000 participants from various Bangalore colleges and Universities of Bangalore had participated in this event. In the technical sessions, topics such as WHO Initiatives in Health and Food sector and Measures to prevent cancer, Food safety concerns and policy recommendation, Prospects of Marketing and Export of processed food products and Right to Foods for a Better Life and a Better Future – Government initiatives were covered as a part of the events. The participants included managers from the industry, scientists, and students studying Agriculture, Food science and nutrition, Food Technology, Nutrition and dietetics, Nursing, Hotel management, etc. The program also comprised of various competitions such as, poster-making, decorated cakes, and low-cost nutritious recipes preparation. The chief Guest and other Key officials interacted and congratulated all the participants for their active involvement and distributed certificates for the various competition organized as a part of this events. The present 74th batch of Fourteen weeks course on Baking Technology had participated in the cake exhibition cum sale and more than 80 emerging entrepreneurs had exhibited their innovative products for sale. Dr. V. L. Madhuprasad, Director of Extension, University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore, proposed vote of thanks to all the guests and the participants