Why in news?
Union Minister for Agriculture & Farmers Welfare Shri Narendra Singh Tomar addressed a National Conference on “International Year of Fruits and Vegetables” organized by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.
About the International Year of Fruits and Vegetables
- 2021 has been designated by the UN General Assembly as the International Year of Fruits and Vegetables (IYFV).
- The IYFV is a unique opportunity to raise awareness of the important role of fruits and vegetables in human nutrition, food security and health as well as in achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
- It is an attempt of the UN to raise awareness on the importance of fruits and vegetables in our daily lives as well as in doubling of farmers’ income.
- India is the second-largest producer of horticulture, producing about 12% of the global fruit and vegetable production.
- On the 15 December 2020 FAO’s launched the 2021 IYFV with an appeal to improve healthy and sustainable food production through innovation and technology and to reduce food loss and waste.
Objectives
- Raising awareness of and directing policy attention to the nutrition and health benefits of fruits and vegetables consumption.
- Promoting diversified, balanced, and healthy diets and lifestyles through fruit and vegetable consumption.
- Reducing losses and waste in fruits and vegetables food systems.
- Sharing best practices on promotion and consumption, improved sustainability, supply chains and capacity strengthening.
Source: PIB, FAO