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'. Agriculture minister Matia Chowdhury kicked off the day's events with the rally, which was followed by a procession starting from Khamar Bari. The participants included agriculturists, scientists, officials, and members of the public. Hundreds of school children also took part in the rally, carrying colorful banners and festoons. The event was supported by Telefood, a FAO project focused on ending hunger, as well as bdnews24.com and Channel i. A seminar is taking place at Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council to commemorate the day, with the presence of agricultural minister Matia Chowdhury, 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 at the seminar. Additionally, a children's painting competition will be held at 3pm at Bangladesh Shishu Academy. A three-day fair on 'Agriculture and Food' will be inaugurated at the Krishibid Institution premise at 12pm, and a similar fair will also take place at Depasai village in Somobhat union under Dhamrai upazila. Channel i will broadcast the program live. In the afternoon, prime minister Sheikh Hasina will unveil postage stamps and envelopes to mark the occasion. Additionally, district and upazila administrations nationwide are 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. Rahman stated in his message that he believes research and technological innovation can play a significant role in increasing food production. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina emphasized that agriculture is the sector most impacted and at risk from climate change. She stressed the importance of ensuring food security in light of this challenge. Hasina noted that Bangladesh achieved self-sufficiency in food production during the previous Awami League government from 1996-2001, but subsequent governments were unable to maintain that success. The current government is committed to ensuring food security for all by once again becoming self-sufficient, the prime minister stated. In his statement, the UN chief Ban Ki-moon emphasized the importance of food and nutritional security as essential for a good quality of life, education, and the fulfillment of the Millennium Development Goals. He highlighted how various factors such as volatile food prices, the economic crisis, climate change, and conflict have caused a significant increase in the number of people experiencing food insecurity. Ban Ki-moon stressed that for the first time in history, more than one billion people are suffering from hunger. He called on all nations to work together to implement effective 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, expressed concern that the progress towards achieving MDG 1, which aims to eradicate extreme poverty and hunger, is at risk of facing serious setbacks. He stated that the economic crisis and sudden price increases have caused a decrease in income and food accessibility for the poor, especially those in the most impoverished regions of the world. Spijkers mentioned that the government is committed to achieving self-sufficiency in food by 2012 and maintaining it, and he believes that Bangladeshi farmers can successfully reach this goal.