World Rural Development Day is marked every year on 6 July.
- It raises awareness about the importance of rural development.
- It highlights poverty reduction, food security and sustainable livelihoods in rural areas.
- The theme for 2026 is "Financing the First Mile of Food Systems."
The "first mile" refers to the starting point of food systems, where farmers and rural producers grow and supply food, and the theme stresses directing finance to this stage.