For centuries, pulses have been vital to sustainable agriculture and nutrition. These small but impactful crops not only provide essential nutrients but also support healthier diets and resilient farming systems, making them a key source of nourishment even for the most vulnerable communities. To celebrate the importance of these remarkable crops, the World Pulses Day (10 February) underscores the vital role of these foods in promoting diversity – both above and below the ground. Let’s unlock a more sustainable, nutritious and equitable future.
FAO
Education is a human right and a pathway out of poverty. It is the backbone to development and prosperity, and all children should have the opportunity to go to school. But learning is also a lifelong endeavour, and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations () has the resources to accompany you on this journey. Whether you want to know more about sea creatures or you want your children to learn about the importance of trees, we have the publication for you!Here are five suggestions to get you started – and there is topic for everyone’s taste: eating healthy, identifying jellyfish, being environmentally friendly from a young age, connecting digitalization and agriculture and understanding the issue of child labour.
Despite progress in reducing hunger and food insecurity, high food costs in Latin America and the Caribbean remain a significant challenge.
Two four-wheel drive vehicles come to a halt on a muddy highway southeast of Monrovia, Liberia. The team of five dressed in fluorescent yellow jackets, comprising statisticians from the Food and Agriculture Organization () and the Liberia Institute of Statistics and Geo-Information Services (LISGIS), sets out on foot to reach their survey sites. LISGIS team leader Anthony Dymacole notes that accessibility is a major challenge for their work, alongside security roadblocks, flooded bridges, and wildlife encounters. Their efforts support the 50x2030 initiative, which aims to conduct agricultural statistical surveys in 50 countries by the next decade. This initiative emphasizes the critical role of agriculture in generating revenue and employment in low- and middle-income countries.
Using nuclear techniques, the and help countries trace coffee's journey from plant to cup, ensuring quality and authenticity.
In 2024, FAO, with support from partners, helped flood-affected communities in Logone Birni by building dykes, creating risk management plans, and providing monetary aid.
Khadiga Khanom from Gazipur, Bangladesh, never considered jackfruit significant until she attended workshops on processing various jackfruit products. Inspired by the training provided by the Food and Agriculture Organization (), she started her own business, creating a range of goods such as pickles, jam, burgers, cakes, pizzas, and even plant-based leather. Now processing about 100 kilograms of jackfruit daily with five employees, she earns approximately $400 a month, which helps support her family and allows her to save for business expansion. Jackfruit, Bangladesh's national fruit and a symbol of abundance, has become a pivotal part of her life through the .
highlights the project’s efforts to strengthen food safety and plant health systems in 12 African Union countries, emphasizing its positive impact on public health, trade, and economic development.
In Berd, a town in Armenia's Tavush region, a group of women is showcasing the power of sisterhood through the cultivation of beans, a staple symbolizing resilience in rural life. Beans represent nourishment and are part of a shared heritage of patience and hard work. Anahit Paytyan, Alina Paytyan, and Varduhi Melikbekyan each contribute their strengths to the "Berd Bean" Women’s Association. This group was formed under the “Local Empowerment of Actors for Development” (LEAD) programme, supported by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (), the United Nations Development Programme (), and funded by the European Union.
In the Rusayo camp near Goma, Democratic Republic of the Congo, 32,500 Internally Displaced Persons live in temporary shelters due to ongoing conflict. Just 18 kilometers from the frontline, they endure the sounds of gunfire and explosions, seeking safety for their families. The camp is overcrowded, stretching resources thin and increasing security risks from armed groups. Food insecurity is a pressing issue, prompting support from the Food and Agriculture Organization (), which assists 25,000 vulnerable households in North Kivu and Ituri. FAO provides cash vouchers and resources for micro-gardening and livestock production. These micro-gardening kits enable families to grow vegetables while integrating animal breeding to enhance soil fertility. With access to quality seeds and animals, residents can improve their diets and generate income through selling their produce and animal products.
As marks its , a sustainable world is one where everyone counts, and each of us, including youth, can take action to create a better future for all.
During the end of year holidays, when fortunate, we spend more time with family and friends, cooking, exchanging gifts or travelling to meet loved ones. All of these actions can be done in a more sustainable way, respectful of ourselves, others, our cities and our planet. Sustainability, in fact, goes beyond the environment; it includes other things that people need, such as food, health, education, safety, jobs, equal opportunities, and a vibrant quality of life. Shaping a better future is the spirit of the holidays and the spirit of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This end of 2024 holiday season, let’s pave the way for a better year, leaving no one behind! Here are .
In Senegal's Bousra Ndawène village, pastoralists from Senegal, Gambia, Mali, and Mauritania travel annually along a 110-km transhumance corridor, seeking fresh pastures for their livestock. Babacar Ndaw, a local farmer and breeder, helps manage resources, balancing the needs of both pastoralists and locals. The Regional Sahel Pastoralism Support Project (PRAPS) has improved infrastructure, animal health services, and water access, reducing conflicts and supporting over 350,000 pastoralists in Senegal. PRAPS aims to assist more than a million pastoralists by 2027, preserving pastoralism while ensuring sustainable resource use.
In Magdalena Milpas Altas, Guatemala, Marla Chanta, a 45-year-old artisan, creates opportunities for her family and community. Initially expected to focus on household duties, she embraced traditional craftsmanship, joining Wakami—a social enterprise empowering rural women through sustainable business and education. Founded by Maria Pacheco 20 years ago, Wakami helps women like Marla generate income through handcrafted goods, aiming to improve their lives and protect the environment. In 2023, the Mountain Partnership of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations () partnered with Wakami connecting women artisans' cultural heritage with contemporary design. In 2024, Italian designer Vivia Ferragamo collaborated with Wakami to create a collection reflecting local traditions and culture.
combines traditional craftsmanship with ethical fashion to promote cultural heritage and protect mountain environments.