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RE: Northern Cape Celebrates World Food Day 16 October 2004 The Northern Cape government is to celebrate World Food Day with emphasis on biodiversity for food security this Saturday at Douglas' Ikageng Primary School. This acclaimed farm school, prides itself with livestock, chickens, well-kept food garden, a media center with DSTV and internet access. MEC for Agriculture and Land Reform, Tina Joemat-Pettersson and cabinet colleague, MEC for Education, Gomolemo Lucas, are to address over 600 learners on the importance of sustaining access to high-quality food that would assist in leading active and healthy lives. Over 40 schools within the Frances Baard district have established food gardens that are mainly used to support school based feeding schemes and other community structures such as health institutions. The two MEC's and a representative of the United Nation's Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) will also flag issues to do with the plight of over 840 million people around the world who are affected by hunger. The Northern Cape government has established the Integrated Food Security and Nutrition Programme (IFSNP) that is aimed at harnessing cohesion towards poverty eradication. The programme has also been extended to local government level to allow municipalities to play a prominent role in the fight against poverty. The Departments of Agriculture and Education embarked on the schools food garden campaign in an effort to:
The Northern Cape's giant Agri-business, Griekwaland Wes Kooperatief that has partnered the Department of Agriculture in other food security ventures, will sponsor the day's activity. This year's theme 'Biodiversity for Food Security' will be imprinted on the 600 t-shirts that will be given to the learners. Learners from other Douglas schools and from Kimberley will be ferried to the event. Enquiries: Thabo Mothibi 083 255H 8815 |