PHNOM PENH, Oct 17 (NNN-AKP) – The Cambodian government, the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), and the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), yesterday called for greater investment in the transformation of food systems, to ensure food and nutrition security, and to cope with shocks and crises.
The appeal was made on World Food Day, the statement said, adding that, Cambodia has put in place the National Roadmap for Food Systems for Sustainable Development 2030.
“We need to transform food supply chains, to ensure the system can deliver quality and nutritious food for all Cambodians, through investment in innovation, technology and digital system,” Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Ministry’s Secretary of State, Om Kimsir, said.
Antonio Schiavone, officer in charge of FAO Representation in Cambodia, said, because agrifood systems are interlinked to so many different areas of lives and economy, ranging from agriculture to natural resources to energy to health, they hold great potential as vehicles for a more equitable and prosperous future.
“Sustainable food systems benefit everyone, including the most vulnerable,” he said. “Most vulnerable and small-scale producers need to be empowered, because they can be at the centre of food systems transformation and become active and equal agents of development.”
According to WFP’s market update, the price of rice remained relatively stable, so far. However, there have been considerable increases in the prices of imported foods. The price of vegetable oil rose by 39.7 percent in May this year, compared to May, 2021.
The production of padi is expected to remain at an above-average level, which means that, Cambodia will not face a critical food shortage; however, the current “5F” crises of food, feed, fuel, fertiliser and lack of finance, pose new threats to food systems, the statement said.– NNN-AKP
