World Food Day 2025 – October 16

The United Nations (UN)’s World Food Day (WFD) is annually observed across the globe on 16 October to promote awareness of healthy diets, food security, and access to nutritious food

• 2025 marks the 80th anniversary of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, established in 1945.

Theme:

2025 Theme:  ‘Hand in hand for better food and a better future!’

Focus: This year’s theme urges worldwide unity to create a sustainable and equitable food system for all.”

Background:

Establishment: WFD was established in 1979 during the 20th session of the FAO Conference held in Rome, Italy.

UN Recognition: On 5 December 1980, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted Resolution A/RES/35/70, officially proclaiming 16 October of every year as WFD.

First Observation: The inaugural WFD was observed on 16 October 1981.

Lead Organization:The observance of World Food Day is spearheaded by the FAO.

Global Food & Agri-Facts:

Dietary gaps: 2.6 billion people lack a sufficiently varied diet; 733 million are undernourished, and 2.8 billion cannot afford a healthy diet.
80% of the poorest live in rural areas; agri-food systems employ 40% of the global workforce.

Food production vs hunger: While global food production can feed 8.2 billion, 673 million experienced hunger in 2024.

• Africa and Western Asia face setbacks due to conflict and extreme weather. Gaza, Sudan, and Haiti have 1.9 million people facing catastrophic hunger.

Environmental impact: Agri-food systems support 1 billion livelihoods, contribute a third of global GHG emissions, and face pressure from climate change, economic instability, and resource constraints.

2025 Events:

World Food Forum – Flagship Event:The flagship forum takes place from October 10 to 17, 2025, at FAO Headquarters in Rome(Italy) and online.

• During the event, the Food and Agriculture Museum & Network, inaugurated in Rome(Italy), serves as a tribute to the 80-year legacy of the FAP.
• Four new World Restoration Flagships, led by FAO and the UN Environment Programme(UNEP), were unveiled. They span 18 countries across four continents, covering over 500,000 hectares—an area nearly five times the size of Rome.

World Food Day 2025 Summit:
On October 16, 2025, a key summit titled “World Food Day 2025: Food is Medicine and Eating for Health” was held in Tempe, Arizona, the United States of America(USA), co-hosted by Food Tank, Arizona State University’s Swette Center, FAO, and the Sprouts Healthy Communities Foundation.

India’s Food & Nutrition : Growth, Initiatives, and Innovations:

India’s Agricultural Growth:In the past decade, India’s foodgrain production rose by 90 million tonnes(MT) and fruit & vegetable output by 64 MT. It ranks first globally in milk and millet production, second in fish, fruit, and vegetables, while honey and egg output has doubled since 2014.

Government Initiatives for Food & Nutrition Security

National Food Security Mission (NFSM): Launched in 2007–08 to increase rice, wheat, and pulses production, NFSM later included coarse cereals (2014–15) and was renamed National Food Security & Nutrition Mission (NFSNM), in 2024–25, emphasizing food production and nutrition.

National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013: Covers 75% rural and 50% urban populations (~81.35 crore), providing 35 kilogram(kg)/month to AAY families and 5 kg/person/month to priority households. Currently, 78.9 crore beneficiaries are covered.

Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY): Launched in 2020 by the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution(MoCAF&PD) in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, PMGKAY provided free food grains to vulnerable populations.

• Initially operational in multiple phases until December 2023, the scheme was restructured in January 2024 and extended for five more years to continue ensuring food security.

PM POSHAN (POshan Shakti Nirman) Scheme:  A national initiative launched in 2019 by the Ministry of Education(MoE) to provide one nutritious hot cooked mid-day meal daily to all primary students (up to 14 years) in government and aided schools, promoting regular attendance among disadvantaged children.

Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses:Launched on October 11, 2025 with a Rs.11,440 crore budget, the mission aims to boost domestic pulse production, enhance nutritional security, and benefit ~2 crore farmers by expanding cultivation by 35 lakh hectares.

Ayurveda Aahara Launch:On the occasion of WFD 2025, the Ministry of AYUSH(Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homoeopathy) and Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) released a list of approved Ayurveda Aahara products, promoting traditional Indian dietary practices in global nutrition.

About Food and Agriculture Organization(FAO):
Director General(DG)– Qu Dongyu
Headquarters – Rome, Italy
Established – 1945