Peru has the conditions to achieve one of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) known as "Zero Hunger" by 2030, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Representative in Peru Maria Elena Rojas highlighted Monday.
This objective seeks to eradicate hunger, achieve food security and improve nutrition, as well as promote sustainable agriculture.
"I believe Peru has the conditions to reach the
'Zero Hunger' goal by 2030, although the sooner the better," she told Andina news agency.
Likewise, Rojas stated the Inca nation is a
"mega-diverse" country in terms of
food, given its wide range of nutrient-rich products.
Fight against malnutrition
The FAO officer also mentioned Peru has become an international benchmark in this sense for its fast and sustainable process in reducing
chronic malnutrition among children under 5 years of age.
According to the National Institute of Statistics and Informatics' (INEI) Population and Family Health Survey (ENDES), chronic malnutrition —in children less than 5 years old— has dropped substantially, from 28.5% in 2007 to 13.1% in 2016.
In addition, this indicator —in rural areas— decreased from 47.1% in 2005 to 26.5% in 2016, whereas in urban areas it slid from 13.5% (2005) to 7.9% (2016).
(END) MDV/MDV/JAA/MVB
Published: 10/23/2017