World Food Day and 80th Anniversary of FAO | 21 Oct 2025

Source: PIB 

On the occasion of World Food Day and Food and Agriculture Organization’s (FAO) 80th anniversary, the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare highlighted India’s journey from food deficiency to self-sufficiency over eight decades of India-FAO partnership. 

World Food Day 

• World Food Day, marks the founding of the UN’s FAO on 16th October 1945. It was first observed in 1981 with the theme "Food Comes First" and officially endorsed by the UN in 1984. 
  • World Food Day is celebrated in over 150 countries, it highlights hunger issues and promotes action for the future of food and the planet. 
• Theme for 2025 World Food Day: “Hand in Hand for Better Foods and a Better Future”, emphasizes global cooperation to transform agrifood systems. 

Food and Agriculture Organization 

• Headquartered in Rome, FAO has 194 countries and the EU as members and aims to achieve food security for all.  
• It supports governments in agriculture, forestry, fisheries, and land & water management through research, technical assistance, training, and data collection. 
• FAO’s flagship publications include The State of Food and Agriculture, and The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World. 
• India and FAO: India has been a FAO member since 1945, demonstrating successful international collaboration to reduce hunger. 
  • FAO has played a key role in India’s transformation from a food-deficient nation to a food-surplus country feeding 1.4 billion, recognizing India as a global agricultural leader and supporting the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision. 
  • FAO’s Country Programming Framework (CPF) 2023–2027 aligns with India’s UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (2023–2027). 
    • It identifies four priority areas to support India in transforming agrifood systems through global best practices, national expertise, and technical assistance.