Fao Calls For Innovation To Tackle Hunger, Boost Agriculture

The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) has called for greater investment in innovation and technology to tackle hunger and transform agrifood systems.

FAO Country Representative Moshibudi Rampedi, delivering a statement for Director-General QU Dongyu at World Food Day 2026 held at the Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara International Conference Centre, said hunger is not inevitable.

“The world already has the technology, knowledge and resources to ensure food security for all,” she said.

This year’s celebration, themed “Innovate Today, Nourish Tomorrow,” was held alongside International Year of the Woman Farmer and International Day of Rural Women, in partnership with government, WFP, GIRAV and ROOTS.

Rampedi revealed that 645 million people faced hunger in 2025, while one in three worldwide cannot afford a healthy diet. She urged affordable, accessible innovations, digital technology, irrigation, early-warning systems and traditional knowledge – to boost productivity and resilience.

She stressed the need for empowering women farmers as entrepreneurs, innovators and decision-makers.

Agriculture Minister Demba Sabally said innovation is critical to address climate change, poor infrastructure and market access.

He said women constitute over half of the agricultural workforce, contribute 40% of output and 80% of farmer cooperative participants, yet face barriers to land, finance, technology and markets.

He cited ROOTS Project reaching 46,777 beneficiaries by end 2025, including 41,281 women, and interventions in vegetable gardening, livestock, rice processing and entrepreneurship.

Sabally reaffirmed government commitment under President Barrow to increase domestic production and expand opportunities for women and youth. He congratulated Awa Jagne of Boiram who is recognised among FAO’s 100 Women Heroes in Agrifood Systems.

German Ambassador Klaus Botzet, Chair of Development Partners Group, urged The Gambia to cut import dependence through investment in modern, climate-smart agriculture, finance, storage and partnerships.

WFP Country Director Helen Wanjiku Kamau called for sustained investment in home-grown school feeding and linking local farmers to schools.

The event featured exhibitions of agricultural products and innovations, underscoring need for collaboration and inclusion to build resilient food systems.