Food Day event in Manisa

On October 16, the “Food Right: Leave No One Behind for a Better Life and a Better Future” event organized by the Manisa Provincial Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry was held to mark World Food Day, highlighting the fact that billions of people around the world cannot access food, and discussing potential solutions to this issue.

As part of World Food Day on October 16, the Manisa Provincial Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry organized a program with the theme “Food Right: Leave No One Behind for a Better Life and a Better Future.” The event took place at the 100th Year Conference Hall and was attended by Manisa Governor Vahdettin Özkan, Manisa Metropolitan Municipality Secretary General Burak Deste, Şehzadeler District Governor Fatih Genel, Manisa Police Chief Fahri Aktaş, Manisa Provincial Health Director Erol Karaca, Deputy Secretary General of the Metropolitan Municipality Ali Kılıç, department heads, and students. During the event, products produced in Manisa, primarily grapes, olives, and melons, grown in its 17 districts were presented. Governor Özkan, Provincial Director of Agriculture and Forestry Metin Öztürk, and protocol members toured the booths and tasted the products.

Governor Vahdettin Özkan expressed that the chosen theme is very important, stating that looking forward to a better life and future is one of the most significant feelings of a person. He said, “To look confidently into the future, it is essential for people to be in solidarity and to respect universal human rights that have come from our civilization’s history within the framework of fundamental human rights. The presence of our youth here also excites us.”

Emphasizing the ministry’s significant efforts in building sustainable good agriculture, Governor Özkan stressed the importance of closely monitoring the processes necessary to access safe and healthy food.

Provincial Director of Agriculture and Forestry Metin Öztürk thanked those who participated in the program themed around the right to food for a better life and a better future. Öztürk noted, “Every year, October 16 is celebrated as World Food Day, which coincides with the founding day of the United Nations. This year, World Food Day is being celebrated for the 44th time in over 150 countries and more than 50 languages. This year’s theme is indeed significant in light of the current global situation and context regarding food rights. For a better future and a better life, the right to food is essential. We live in a world where 733 million people are fighting hunger within a global population of 8 billion. All scientists state that there is enough food to feed 8 billion people in the world. However, despite this statement, 10% of this population struggles with hunger. Therefore, in this current global situation, this year’s theme holds special meaning. We have responsibilities regarding food consumption, which is one of humanity’s basic needs. Of course, at the forefront of these responsibilities are the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, which manages all official processes from farm to fork, ensuring the entire supply chain is accounted for. We conducted a total of 27,417 inspections last year with 216 food control officers in our province. As of today, this number has reached 16,724, and our inspections will continue until the end of the year. Every citizen has the right to access safe food. The Ministry also has responsibilities regarding safe food. As a provincial directorate, we manage all food-related processes through the ministry’s directives, published regulations, and established systems. In 2023, our food control officers collected a total of 1,778 samples, contributing to the goal of ensuring that Turkish citizens, as well as people worldwide, have access to safe food. Today, we continue our work with 2,703 samples. Of course, we are aware of our responsibilities as a ministry and strive to fulfill our duties. Upon the arrival of the governor, we immediately received instructions and project directives regarding sustainable agriculture, safe food, and the relationship between agriculture and the environment. We are continuing our work on these issues. Although we say that the responsibility lies with us from farm to fork as a ministry, we, as the current representatives of the Anatolian people, who have placed the concept of rights at the center of their civilization, must also be aware of our responsibilities regarding food rights and should deeply feel this awareness. We are a part of such a civilization. Thus, the sensitivity of the Anatolian people, who are wise, regarding the issue of food rights certainly exists. If I know better, our celebration this year, themed around the right to food for a better future, carries a different meaning for us. I would also like to emphasize once again that we carry out inspections related to reaching safe food through our reporting lines such as our WhatsApp hotline 174, other quick notifications, etc.