On October 16, Sulabh International hosted a lively event to celebrate World Food Day, spotlighting food security, sustainable agriculture, and community empowerment.
The event saw Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers’ Affairs, Mr Ram Nath Thakur as the chief guest, alongside special attendees like Geordin Hill-Lewis, Executive Mayor of Cape Town, and Shri DN Thakur, National President of Sahakar Bharati.
Setting the tone for the event, Kumar Dilip, President of Sulabh International, stressed that food security is a fundamental human right and a key component of SDG 2: Zero Hunger. He explained that fighting hunger isn’t just about providing food—it’s about economic empowerment, gender equality, environmental sustainability, and health. With five decades of experience, Dilip shared how Sulabh’s work builds resilient communities, promotes sustainable agriculture, and empowers women, who are essential to ensuring food security at home and beyond.
Kumar also showcased some of Sulabh’s impactful initiatives, such as their women’s millet farming program and partnerships with local artisans and fisherfolk, which blend traditional knowledge with modern practices to create sustainable livelihoods and tackle malnutrition. He reminded the audience of a sobering statistic: 2.8 billion people globally still cannot afford a healthy diet, forcing many to rely on unhealthy staple foods due to affordability and access challenges.
Dr Sutirtha Sahariah, Senior Vice President and Head of Communications at Sulabh, presented the organization’s ambitious vision for integrating food security with livelihood creation, women’s empowerment, and support for local artisans. Expressing confidence he said, “Sulabh’s holistic approach would transform the lives of tens of thousands of people in the years ahead”.
In his keynote address, Minister Ram Nath Thakur emphasized the importance of natural farming to improve soil health and crop quality, urging Sulabh to expand its work into agricultural development. He encouraged a focus on natural farming techniques and building storage infrastructure in rural areas. Thakur also highlighted north Bihar’s potential for pond-based Makhana (fox nut) farming and fish cultivation, calling for intensive research to boost agricultural productivity.
One of the event’s highlights was Sulabh’s food program, which has empowered more than 2,500 rural women across India by helping them cultivate climate-resilient crops. These women proudly showcased their produce, demonstrating how Sulabh’s initiatives are boosting local economies and improving household nutrition.
Adding an international perspective, Geordin Hill-Lewis, Executive Mayor of Cape Town, compared the agricultural challenges of India and South Africa. He expressed his eagerness to learn from India’s food safety programs and explore opportunities for collaboration on sustainable development projects.
The event concluded with a vote of thanks from Pankaj Jain, Honorary Controller General of Sulabh International. Shri DN Thakur, President of Sahakar Bharati, also shared his thoughts, stressing the importance of collaboration in achieving meaningful societal progress.
Sulabh’s World Food Day celebration reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to creating sustainable agricultural solutions, empowering women, and ensuring food security for all—paving the way for a healthier, more resilient future.
The event received a wide press coverage:
- https://www.outlookbusiness.com/sustainability/need-to-promote-natural-farming-to-improve-soil-health-mos-agri-thakur
- https://hindi.theprint.in/india/economy/there-is-a-need-to-promote-natural-farming-to-improve-the-health-of-the-soil-minister-of-state-for-agriculture/742359/
- https://www.dailypioneer.com/2024/state-editions/sulabh-international-marks-un-world-food-day.html
- https://www.socialnews.xyz/2024/10/16/new-delhi-world-food-day-programme-organised-by-sulabh-international-gallery/
- https://www.chirauri.com/sulabh-international-celebrates-world-food-day-for-food-security-and-empowerment-of-women-farmers/
- https://streetnews.in/sulabh-international-marks-world-food-day-with-focus-on-food-security-and-empowerment-of-women-farmers/
- https://www.newsharpal.in/the-event-organized-by-sulabh-international-provided-a-platform-to-women-farmers-from-across-india/
- https://www.janjivan.com/?p=48118&lang=en
- https://www.janjivan.com/?p=48126
- https://hindi.latestly.com/agency-news/there-is-a-need-to-promote-natural-farming-to-improve-the-health-of-the-soil-minister-of-state-for-agriculturer-2351684.html
- https://www.ibc24.in/business/need-to-promote-natural-farming-to-improve-soil-health-minister-of-state-for-agriculture-2755581.html
- https://www.newsdrum.in/business/need-to-promote-natural-farming-to-improve-soil-health-mos-agri-thakur-7319992
- https://thebengalurulive.com/need-to-promote-natural-farming-to-improve-soil-health-mos-agri-thakur/
- https://money.rediff.com/news/market/natural-farming-key-to-soil-health-mos-agri-thakur/17198220241016
- https://www.latestly.com/agency-news/latest-news-need-to-promote-natural-farming-to-improve-soil-health-mos-agri-thakur-6347317.html
