World Food Day 2002, "Water: Source of Food Security", 16 October 2002

The great global challenge for the coming years will be how to produce more food with less water, the FAO said on World Water Day held in Rome, March 22nd. To meet future demands for food in developing countries, irrigated crop production must increase by more than 80 percent by 2030. However, according to estimates, only 12 percent more water can be made available for agriculture. "More crop per drop" is needed.

To highlight this fact, the FAO will dedicate this year's World Food Day, October 16th, to the theme "Water: Source of Food Security". World Food Day is observed annually throughout the world on the anniversary of the FAO's founding, 16 October 1945. On this day, government representatives and civil society organizations in FAO member countries will focus on solutions to the problem of water scarcity and its implications for food security.

Last year's World Food Day was dedicated to the fighting of hunger under the motto "Fight hunger to reduce poverty".

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