On this October 16, World Food Day, over 800 million people will go to bed hungry. But that’s 200 million fewer than just two decades ago. One reason is programs like Feed the Future — a U.S. government initiative to reduce global hunger and improve food security.
Feed the Future helps farmers secure bank loans they need to afford better seeds, new equipment and crop insurance — in short, to increase their yields. Already, 7 million farmers have grown more food on over 3.8 million hectares of land. Farmers in Senegal more than doubled their maize harvest in the 2012–2013 season. Find out more in 10 Ways America is Helping Feed the World.
The U.N.’s Food and Agriculture Organization is also focusing this year on the world’s 500 million family farms.
Want to get involved in World Food Day 2014? Subscribe to Feed the Future’s newsletter for all the latest developments. Use hashtag #ToastAFarmer and add your thoughts.
