Agricultural cooperatives play vital role in improving food security

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki- moon here on Tuesday highlighted the important role of agricultural cooperatives in improving world food security, calling for participation in an initiative to end hunger. "The world food situation continues to be cause for serious concern. Millions of small food producers -- many of whom are women -- are struggling to cope with economic and climatic shocks, and with high and volatile food prices," Ban said in a message marking World Food Day, which falls on Oct. 16. According to him, newly released figures now put the number of hungry people worldwide at nearly 870 million, which is " unacceptable in a world of plenty, a world in which, if food were distributed properly, every person would have enough to eat." "Agricultural cooperatives play a vital role in improving food and nutrition security," said the secretary-general, noting that, owned by their members, agricultural cooperatives can generate employment, alleviate poverty, and empower poor and marginalized groups in rural areas, especially women, to drive their own destinies. "As enterprises with a social conscience, cooperatives have also proven to be an effective vehicle for social inclusion, promoting gender equality and encouraging the involvement of youth in agriculture," Ban said. The UN chief also noted that agricultural cooperatives will be equally crucial in meeting the Zero Hunger Challenge, which he launched in June at the Rio+20 UN Conference on Sustainable Development. "Zero Hunger is our vision for a world without hunger, where all food systems are sustainable and everyone enjoys their right to food," he said. "The great expertise of agricultural cooperatives will be invaluable in achieving one of the initiative 's primary aims: doubling the income and productivity of smallholder farmers." He urged all partners to join the Zero Hunger Challenge. " Collectively, we can end hunger in our lifetime," he said. The World Food Day commemorates the date when the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations was founded in 1945. The theme of the Day this year focuses on "Agricultural cooperatives - key to feeding the world" and coincides with the International Year of Cooperatives.