Myanmar is an agriculture country as more than 70 percent of people are living in rural areas and live off from farming, thus making the development of rural areas critically important, according to Vice-president Henry Ven Thio.

He said these words at a ceremony on World Food Day held in Nay Pyi Taw on October 16.

“In Myanmar, more than 70 percent of the population are living in rural areas.  Therefore, development of agriculture sector is very important. Efforts put into eradication of poverty can lead to promotion of the socio-economic lives of people in rural area.  We need to change our way of thinking, living and for the sustainable development of social and environmental development. A good and systematic management is also needed,” said Vice-president Henry Ven Thio.

In 2016, the number of undernourished people around the world increased to an estimated 815 million, 33 million more than 2015. At the same time, one fourth of world population which is 1900 million are overweight and among them, 600 million people suffer from obesity.

In the world today, global warming, and climate change that comes together with the changing technologies are adversely affecting the lives of people living in the rural areas. Due to these adverse effects, rural areas where majority of the people are residing, is facing destruction  and losses of agriculture products, while products were also not of sufficient quality resulting in declining socio-economic situation, insufficient food supply, shortage of sage foods and hunger.

The result is shocking as the annual death from hunger is higher than the combined death caused by malaria, TB, and AIDS. In addition, 45 percent of infant mortalities are also due to lack of nutrition.

For food sufficiency, food security and nutrition sectors, government is cooperating with international organizations like FAO, ministries and public according to Vice-president.