In West Africa, fonio farming is more than just agriculture, it’s a symbol of resilience and cultural heritage. Chef Binta, an award-winning chef and advocate for nomadic cuisine, is empowering women farmers by promoting this ancient grain. Through the Fulani Kitchen Foundation and support from FAO, she is helping communities enhance food security and shape a sustainable future while celebrating culinary traditions.
FAO
If you thought it was just a problem for the birds, think again. Humans and animals have always been connected. Animals provide us with essential resources such as food, clothing, transport and livelihoods, as well as companionship, while supporting healthy ecosystems. With growing populations, urbanisation and increased global livestock production, we are now sharing more spaces than ever. This makes animal health critical—their well-being directly affects ours. Monitoring animal health and disease outbreaks helps save lives, prevent economic losses and stop the spread of diseases—whether they are epidemics or pandemics. Avian influenza is a serious threat to both human and animal health. Here are four things you need to know about avian influenza and how the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations () is working to protect animals and humans.
Can your nose really tell if food is still safe to eat? In this Science and Cooking episode, we explain why relying on smell can be risky—and what you can do to stay safe.
In Tawi-Tawi, Philippines, seaweed farming is a vital livelihood for many, but challenges threaten its future. Farmers like Imilita Mawaldani Hikanti have relied on cultivating agal-agal seaweeds for generations. The province, known as the “Seaweed Capital of the Philippines,” produces around 40% of of the country’s 600 000-tonne annual output of seaweed. However, volatile prices and competition have driven local prices down to PHP 25 per kilo (about USD 0.44), leading to losses for farmers. Additional issues like ice-ice disease caused by climate change exacerbate the situation. To address these challenges, and local authorities have launched a project to enhance seaweed production and value chains.
Khilamaya Nepali stands in her parcel of land, observing a fly trap among her bitter gourd plants. She confidently explains that the trap, using a specific chemical, captures male flies to control their population, a method learned in her farmer field school. She takes pride in her skills and her participation in this initiative. The farmer field schools are part of the Building a Resilient Churia Region in Nepal project, funded by the Green Climate Fund and implemented by the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations () with the Government of Nepal, aimed at empowering farmers to address climate-related agricultural challenges.
Fisheries are crucial for food, employment, and economic well-being globally. As populations and hunger rise, fish has become essential for food security. However, it is estimated that 1 in every 5 fish caught comes from fishing, accounting for a loss of 11–26 million tonnes of fish annually. To help curb this trend, promotes sustainable practices through its voluntary and the binding . On the International Day for the Fight against Illegal Fishing, let’s remember that we all play a part in this effort.
From the highest cloud forest in the Andes to one of the smallest fish in a Chilean river, biodiversity is the invisible thread that ties ecosystems together and sustains agricultural production and food security. Biodiversity is crucial for ecosystems and agricultural production, especially in Latin America and the Caribbean, which host about 50% of the world’s primary forests. These forests play vital roles in carbon sequestration. However, biodiversity is declining due to human activities and climate change. The agrifood sector depends on biodiversity for services like soil health, pest control, and pollination. Acknowledging this, three -funded projects are dedicated to conserving and restoring ecosystems in Brazil, Chile, and Venezuela.
in animals, plants, and microorganisms supports agrifood systems, vital for life on Earth and our future.
Did you know that the United Nations declared 2024 the ? The Year highlighted how camelids are key to the livelihoods of millions of households in hostile environments across over 90 countries, particularly Indigenous Peoples and local communities. The International Year of Camelids 2024 built awareness of the untapped potential of camelids and called for increased investment in the camelid sector, advocating for greater research, capacity development, and the use of innovative practices and technologies. But this is just the beginning. We must continue to champion the vital role of camelids in livelihoods and push for greater investment in the sector. Now you can see the camelids in 3D and learn how they help sustain communities living in challenging environments.
Potatoes are more than just a staple of many diets—they play a vital role in ending hunger, promoting sustainable agriculture, and supporting small-scale family farmers. The International Day of the Potato (30 May), under the theme “”, highlights the crop’s deep historical and cultural significance over millennia. in spreading the word about the power of the potato! Promote its contributions, support the conservation of its rich diversity, and advocate for stronger value chains for a more sustainable future.
Lutfi Çetin, an expert in rust research with over 30 years of experience, is inspecting wheat fields in Türkiye, where the threat of rust infections looms large. Wheat is crucial for food security in Central Asia and the Caucasus, but airborne fungal diseases known as wheat rusts—such as yellow, leaf, and stem rust—pose a significant global threat, destroying up to 15 million tonnes of grain annually. These rust strains, which have evolved and spread more rapidly than in the past, require effective long-term management through surveillance and the development of disease-resistant wheat varieties. In response to this challenge, a coalition of scientists, farmers, and governments from several Central Asian countries, supported by the Food and Agriculture Organization () and Türkiye, is working together to strengthen defenses against these pathogens.
Plant health is the foundation of food security and is thus at the core of the One Health approach. and the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) are taking action to protect plant health by promoting sustainable agricultural practices, healthy soils and water, and by promoting plant health standards for safe trade.
Forests cover nearly one-third of the Earth's land, offering vital benefits such as soil and water protection, climate regulation, and biodiversity preservation. They provide essential materials like wood and fibers, as well as food and medicine, which support millions of livelihoods globally. The resilience and adaptability of forests and trees largely stem from their genetic diversity. But what makes forests and trees resilient and adaptable? The answer lies in their genetic diversity. The highlights the urgent need to conserve and sustainably utilize these genetic resources. This is crucial for addressing challenges like deforestation, climate change, and poverty. By advancing research, improving policies, and fostering global cooperation, we can protect forest genetic diversity, ensuring that forests continue to thrive and serve future generations.
In the countries of the Central American Integration System (SICA) lies the , considered one of the most vulnerable ecoregions to climate variability and change. It is characterized by long periods of drought with rising temperatures or intense rainfall. People dependent on agriculture are the most affected socially, economically, and environmentally, with serious consequences for their food security and nutrition. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations () works with Central American governments to promote innovative solutions that support the work, leadership, and knowledge of women and men in preparing, alongside their rural communities, to face climate change, the degradation of natural resources, and limited access to technology and innovation — all key to achieving inclusive rural development, thus strengthening resilience and improving livelihoods.
A new silk farming industry is emerging in Mukono, Uganda, managed by Waiswa Aggrey Mubeerwa for the Seres Textile Company Limited. Established in 2019, the facility awaits the arrival of an extracting machine to begin exporting silk. This initiative is part of a South-South Cooperation () project implemented by , working with the Ugandan government and China's Ministry of Agriculture. Uganda's climate is ideal for mulberry trees, the sole food for silkworms. With proper training and resources, farmers can significantly increase their income, as a kilogram of silk can earn around USD 50 in China. By the end of 2024, the project had distributed 200,000 mulberry cuttings and trained 44 farmers. The SSC project aims to enhance agricultural productivity across Uganda, benefiting 70,000 farmers in various sectors, transitioning from subsistence farming to commercial operations essential for poverty alleviation.