The Ministry of Agriculture, in partnership with the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organisation, organized a rally in the city to celebrate World Food Day on Friday. This year's theme is 'Achieving Food Security in Times of Crisis'. The Agriculture minister Matia Chowdhury kicked off the day's events with the rally, followed by a procession that began at Khamar Bari. The event was attended by agriculturists, scientists, officials, and members of the public. A large number of school children also took part in the rally, carrying colorful banners and festoons. The program was supported by Telefood, a FAO project aimed at ending hunger, bdnews24.com, and Channel i. A seminar to commemorate the day is taking place at Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council, with agricultural minister Matia Chowdhury in attendance. Also participating are food and disaster management minister Mohammad Abdur Razzaque and minister of fisheries and livestock Abdul Latif Biswas. FAO Bangladesh representative, AD Spijkers, is the guest of honour. A children's painting competition is set to take place at 3pm at Bangladesh Shishu Academy. Additionally, a three-day fair on 'Agriculture and Food' will be inaugurated at the Krishibid Institution premise at 12pm. Another similar fair will be held at Depasai village in Somobhat union under Dhamrai upazila. Channel i will broadcast the program live. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will release postage stamps and envelopes in the afternoon to commemorate the day. District and upazila administrations across the country are also marking the day with discussion meetings and rallies. President Zillur Rahman emphasized the importance of taking proper measures to ensure food security in a changing climate on the eve of World Food Day. In his message, Rahman stated that he believes research and technological innovation can play a crucial role in increasing food production. Prime minister Sheikh Hasina stated that agriculture is the sector most impacted by climate change and it is crucial to focus on ensuring food security. She mentioned that Bangladesh achieved self-dependency in agriculture during the previous Awami League government from 1996-2001, but subsequent governments were not able to maintain this success. The current government is committed to achieving self-dependency in agriculture again and ensuring food security for all. In his statement, the UN chief Ban Ki-moon emphasized the importance of food and nutritional security as essential elements for a good quality of life, education, and the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals. He highlighted the significant challenges posed by volatile food prices, economic downturns, climate change, and conflicts, which have resulted in a sharp increase in the number of people lacking access to sufficient food. Ban Ki-moon expressed concern over the fact that more than one billion people are currently experiencing hunger, urging nations to implement comprehensive strategies for agricultural development and social protection to ensure that vulnerable populations, especially women and children, have access to the food they need for their well-being. The FAO representative in Bangladesh, AD Spijkers, also warned about the potential setbacks in achieving MDG 1, which aims to eradicate extreme poverty and hunger. He explained that the situation was caused by the economic crisis and sudden price increases, which have negatively impacted the incomes and food access of the poor, especially those in the most impoverished regions of the world. Spijkers expressed confidence in the government's commitment to achieve food self-sufficiency by 2012 and maintain it, stating that Bangladeshi farmers have the potential to reach this goal.