Better food future

World Food Day 2025 arrives at a time when the global community continues to grapple with the twin challenges of ensuring food security and building sustainable food systems. As President Dr Irfaan Ali rightly underscored in his message marking the occasion, this observance serves as a reminder of the shared responsibility to guarantee that every person, everywhere, has access to safe, nutritious, and affordable food. The day also coincides with the 80th anniversary of the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), an institution that has stood at the forefront of global efforts to eradicate hunger, reduce malnutrition, and improve rural livelihoods.
For eight decades, the FAO has been instrumental in shaping agricultural policy and practice across the world. Its work has empowered smallholder farmers, strengthened rural economies, and fostered resilience in food production systems. The organisation’s technical expertise and advocacy have guided developing nations towards climate-smart, sustainable agriculture, ensuring that food security remains a central pillar of international development. The anniversary, therefore, is a celebration of past achievements as well as a moment to confront present realities and renew commitments to a hunger-free world.
The theme for this year’s World Food Day, “Hand in Hand for Better Foods and a Better Future” captures both the urgency and opportunity of the global food security challenge. It reflects the need for collective action, for partnerships that bridge Governments, Private Sector, civil society, and local communities. However, no single entity can solve the food crisis in isolation. The transformation of food systems demands collaboration, innovation, and an inclusive approach that leaves no one behind.
Yet, as the recently-released State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2025 report reveals, the global food landscape remains deeply uneven. Rising food price inflation has eroded the purchasing power of millions, particularly in low-income countries. The affordability gap between nutritious foods and cheaper, ultra-processed alternatives continues to widen, pushing more families into food insecurity and worsening malnutrition. For many, a balanced, healthy diet is becoming a luxury rather than a right.
The impact of this crisis extends beyond hunger. It strikes at the heart of public health, social stability, and human development. Poor nutrition undermines educational attainment, productivity, and overall well-being, perpetuating cycles of poverty and inequality. When food becomes less affordable, societies face a ripple effect that weakens their social and economic fabric. The crisis underscores the fragility of global supply chains and the urgent need to strengthen resilience against price shocks, climate disruptions, and geopolitical instability.
Guyana, like many other nations, has not been immune to these global trends. Food price inflation has placed additional strain on households, particularly those in vulnerable communities. However, the country’s proactive approach to agricultural transformation offers a pathway toward resilience. Guyana’s investments in food production, agro-technology, and regional food security under the Caribbean Community (Caricom) initiative have positioned it as a leading voice in the effort to reduce regional dependency on imports, and to strengthen local food systems.
The Government’s commitment to advancing sustainable agriculture and supporting farmers is aligned with the broader goals of the FAO; initiatives that promote diversification, value-added processing, and climate-smart practices are crucial to ensuring that food security is not only achieved but sustained. These measures also reflect an understanding that food production must go hand in hand with environmental stewardship. As the impacts of climate change intensify, the capacity to produce more with less – through innovation, efficiency, and responsible management – will define the future of agriculture.
At the same time, food security is also a question of access, equity, and nutrition. Ensuring that citizens can afford healthy, balanced diets requires coherence that spans agriculture, trade, health, and social protection. Governments must work to stabilise markets, reduce the cost of nutritious foods, and address the structural inequalities that make hunger persist even when food is available.
The call for collaboration, the essence of this year’s World Food Day theme, must therefore extend across all levels of society. Farmers, policymakers, educators, businesses, and consumers each have a role to play in shaping the future of food. Education about healthy diets, investment in rural infrastructure, and innovation in agricultural technology must all converge to create a more resilient and equitable system.
As the world commemorates both World Food Day and the FAO’s 80th anniversary, it is clear that progress is possible when nations act together. The vision of a world free from hunger cannot remain an aspiration – it must be a collective mission driven by shared responsibility and tangible action. The challenges are real, but so too is the potential for transformation. By working hand in hand, the global community can build a food system that nourishes people, protects the planet, and secures a better future for generations to come.