News from FAO’s Regional Office for Africa

38 countries meet anti-hunger targets for 2015

Wed, 12 Jun 2013 01:00:00 GMT

12 June 2013, Rome - Thirty-eight countries have met internationally-established targets in the fight against hunger, chalking up successes ahead of a deadline set for 2015, FAO confirmed today.

“These countries are leading the way to a better future. They are proof that with strong political will, coordination and cooperation, it [...]

FAO urges end of malnutrition as priority

Tue, 04 Jun 2013 01:00:00 GMT

4 June 2013, Rome - Denouncing the huge social and economic costs of malnutrition, FAO Director-General José Graziano da Silva today called for resolute efforts to eradicate malnutrition as well as hunger from around the world.

In a recorded statement marking the launch of FAO's flagship annual publication The State of [...]

Food security to be at center of Africa development agenda

Sat, 01 Jun 2013 01:00:00 GMT

1 June 2013, Yokohama, Japan - The three heads of the Rome-based United Nations agencies today called for food security and nutrition to be placed at the centre of the international agenda for African development. Special attention should be given to supporting smallholder farmers to improve global food security and [...]

Cassava's huge potential as 21st Century crop

Tue, 28 May 2013 01:00:00 GMT

28 May 2013, Rome - Save and Grow, an environmentally-friendly farming model promoted by FAO, can sustainably increase cassava yields by up to 400 percent and help turn this staple from a poor people's food into a 21st Century crop, FAO said today.

In a newly-published field guide detailing Save [...]

Forest products critical to fight hunger - including insects

Mon, 13 May 2013 01:00:00 GMT

Rome, 13 May 2013 – Forests, trees on farms and agroforestry are critical in the fight against hunger and should be better integrated into food security and land use policies, FAO Director-General José Graziano da Silva said today at the International Conference on Forests for Food Security and Nutrition in [...]

"Enormous opportunity" for ending hunger in Africa

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 01:00:00 GMT

22 April 2013, Rome - Ministers and senior delegates from five African Nations met today with FAO Director-General José Graziano da Silva ahead of a High-Level meeting of African and international leaders in Addis Ababa next June set to create a renewed partnership for intensifying efforts to end hunger in [...]

Madagascar needs more than $41 million to end locust plague

Tue, 26 Mar 2013 01:00:00 GMT

Rome, 26 March 2013 - Madagascar needs more than $22 million of emergency funding by June to start fighting a severe locust plague that threatens the country's next cropping seasons and the food security of more than half the country's population, FAO said today. The agency underlined, however, that a [...]

Lula da Silva, Kufuor: Political Commitment crucial to end hunger and food insecurity in Africa

Tue, 19 Mar 2013 01:00:00 GMT

19 March 2013, Accra - Former presidents Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva of Brazil and John Kufuor of Ghana have called for strong political will to bring an end to hunger in Africa, while participating in a high-level forum organized by the FAO's Regional Office for Africa based in Accra

"It [...]

New metric to be launched on hunger and food insecurity

Wed, 13 Mar 2013 01:00:00 GMT

13 March 2013, Rome - A new, faster and more precise way of measuring hunger and food insecurity across the world is soon to be field-tested by FAO in several pilot countries.

The new approach relies on gathering information on the extent and severity of hunger from food-insecure people, through a [...]

FAO's support in transforming the agriculture sector in Uganda

Fri, 08 Mar 2013 01:00:00 GMT

8 March 2013, Kampala/Rome - FAO Director-General José Graziano da Silva met with Ugandan Vice-President Edward Sekandi to discuss ways to ensure food security for all Ugandans and reduce poverty by supporting rural smallholders in the country's agriculture sector.

Sekandi met with Graziano da Silva on behalf of President Yoweri Kaguta [...]

Ending hunger and malnutrition in Malawi

Wed, 06 Mar 2013 01:00:00 GMT

06 March 2013, Lilongwe – Crop diversification, increasing the productivity and production of farmers through small-scale irrigation projects, improving local market systems, and other actions being implemented by the government could give a strong push to the eradication of hunger and malnutrition in Malawi, Director-General José Graziano da Silva said [...]

African trust fund for food security becomes reality

Fri, 22 Feb 2013 01:00:00 GMT

22 February 2013, Malabo/Rome - Equatorial Guinea today donated $30 million to a new solidarity trust fund that aims to mobilize African financial resources in support of strengthening food security in the region.  

The first donation to the Africa Solidarity Trust Fund was made official in a ceremony at the margins [...]

Mali: Impending planting season at risk, support to agriculture critical

Fri, 15 Feb 2013 01:00:00 GMT

15 February 2013, Rome - With Mali's next agricultural season set to begin in May, there is an urgent need to help displaced farmers return to their lands and resume food production when and where the evolving security situation permits, FAO said today following talks between Malian Minister for Agriculture [...]

Sowing the seeds of food security in South Sudan

Tue, 15 Jan 2013 01:00:00 GMT

15 January 2013, Rome - A new programme in the Republic of South Sudan is helping vulnerable farmers to improve their livelihoods by boosting the quality of the seeds used to produce key crops.

With the support of the Government of France, FAO is joining efforts with the South Sudanese Ministry [...]

FAO helps Darfur farmers and herders live in peace

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 01:00:00 GMT

20 December 2012, Kebkabiya, Sudan - In a field in North Darfur, farmer Salaheldin Suleiman Hilal looks pleased. He's finished harvesting his golden sorghum crop and unlike previous years he lost none to grazing animals."In the past when the animals came I was very angry but now I'm very happy," [...]

Food security linked to peace in the Sahel - FAO Director-General

Fri, 07 Dec 2012 01:00:00 GMT

7 December 2012, Rome - FAO Director-General José Graziano da Silva said today that improving food security in the Sahel will contribute to peace and stability in the region.

He was addressing a meeting on the Sahel situation called by the UN Secretary-General's Special Envoy on the Sahel who is former [...]

African Union, FAO and Lula Institute join efforts to fight hunger in Africa

Wed, 21 Nov 2012 01:00:00 GMT

Addis Ababa, November 21, 2012 –The African Union Commission (AUC), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and Instituto Lula of Brazil announced today they were joining efforts to help eradicate hunger and undernourishment in Africa.

The decision was reached at a meeting between the Chairperson of the [...]

African countries share drought resilience initiatives

Tue, 23 Oct 2012 01:00:00 GMT

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 23 October 2012 – Fifteen countries from Africa’s most drought prone regions are meeting in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa to share practices on how to best address recurrent droughts and chronic food insecurity on the continent.

Governments and organizations from Africa’s Horn and Sahel regions are showcasing [...]

FAO, Somalia's President commit to ending food crisis

Tue, 16 Oct 2012 01:00:00 GMT

Mogadishu, Somalia, 16 October 2012 – Somalia’s newly elected President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has said his government will work with the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) to prioritize reviving Somalia’s agricultural glory waned by 20 years of war.

Participating in events to mark this year’s World Food Day celebrations in [...]

Equatorial Guinea president pledges $30 million to African solidarity fund

Mon, 08 Oct 2012 01:00:00 GMT

New York/Accra, 8 October 2012 - Equatorial Guinea will contribute $30 million to a newly created Trust Fund for Food Security in Africa to help reduce hunger in Africa, the country’s President Obiang Nguema Mbasogo announced in a speech to the UN General Assembly on 27 September 2012, following a [...]

Investing in youth makes business sense

Thu, 04 Oct 2012 01:00:00 GMT

4 October 2012, Accra - The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations is calling for increased opportunity for youth in agriculture and agri-business in Africa. With 200 million people between the age of 15-24, Africa has the youngest population in the world. Sixty-five (65%) of its population is [...]

Joint statement from FAO, IFAD and WFP on international food prices

Tue, 04 Sep 2012 01:00:00 GMT

In a joint statement, FAO, IFAD and WFP call for swift, coordinated international action on high food prices. They say action is urgently needed not only on the immediate issue of price increases but also on the long-term question of how the world produces, trades and consumes its food in [...]

Niger and Mali work to contain the Desert Locust threat

Tue, 17 Jul 2012 01:00:00 GMT

17 July 2012, Rome - The Desert Locust threat to pastures and croplands in Niger and Mali is growing after swarms of the insects arrived in the north of the two countries last month from Algeria and Libya.

Heads of forestry and wildlife services discuss governance and benefits of forests, trees and wildlife

Mon, 16 Jan 2012 01:00:00 GMT

16 January 2012, Accra – Heads of forestry and wildlife services from all over Africa are meeting in Cotonou, Republic of Benin, for the 18th Session of the FAO African Forestry and Wildlife Commission (AFWC) and the 2nd African Forestry and Wildlife Week (AFWW). The meeting, which is taking place [...]

FAO State of Food and Agriculture 2010‐11 Report Africa Launch

Wed, 30 Nov 2011 01:00:00 GMT

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ethiopian Central Statistical Agency (CSA), organized the 22nd Session of African Commission on Agricultural Statistics (AFCAS) meeting in Addis‐Ababa, Ethiopia from 30th November 2011 to 3rd December 2011.

A highlight of the [...]

Gambian Government Pledges $3million to develop Aquaculture

Fri, 05 Aug 2011 01:00:00 GMT

The President of the Republic of The Gambia H.E Sheikh Prof. Alhaji Yahya Jammeh has pledged three million US dollars ($3million) for the up-scaling and replication of the FAO-TCP aquaculture project in Gambia.

The Aquaculture concept is being introduced for the first time in The Gambia by FAO.

The President made this [...]

José Graziano da Silva to head FAO

Sun, 26 Jun 2011 01:00:00 GMT

26 June 2011, Rome - FAO member nations today elected José Graziano da Silva of Brazil as its new Director-General.

Mr Graziano da Silva, 61, received a total of 92 votes out of 180 votes cast.

The election took place on the second day of the 37th Conference of FAO, the highest governing body [...]

Fewer pesticides and higher yields and incomes

Mon, 20 Dec 2010 01:00:00 GMT

West African farmers have succeeded in cutting the use of toxic pesticides, increasing yields and incomes and diversifying farming systems as a result of an international project promoting sustainable farming practices.

World Food Day 2010: Addressing hunger reduction in Africa

Sat, 16 Oct 2010 01:00:00 GMT

World Food Day on Saturday 16th October comes at a time where Africa is at a cross roads in its agriculture development. Leading regional initiatives such as the Common Africa Agriculture Development Programme (known as CAADP) and international frameworks such as the Programme on Global Food Security reflect renewed momentum [...]

Rice and aquaculture for productivity increase and market development

Tue, 17 Aug 2010 01:00:00 GMT

The national rice and aquaculture development strategies were launched by Ghanaian Ministry of Agriculture at the Alisa Hotel in Accra last week. The launch was jointly coordinated by supporting partners, JICA and FAO.

[...]

FAO procures computers for Plant Genetic Resources Project in Ghana

Mon, 14 Jun 2010 01:00:00 GMT

The FAO in Ghana has procured five desktop computers costing GH¢7700 to support the National Information Sharing Mechanism (NISM), under the global plan of action which provides a framework for the conservation and utilization of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture. The beneficiaries of the computers are New Juabeng [...]

FAO Regional Conference for Africa 2010 held in Angola

Mon, 07 Jun 2010 01:00:00 GMT

Member states from across the region participated in the 26th FAO Regional Conference for Africa which was held in Luanda, Angola from 3-7th May 2010.

The conference was opened by FAO’s Director General Jacques Diouf who pressed for more attention to be given towards Africa’s food crisis. “In sub-Saharan Africa, since [...]

A boost to half of Lesotho's rural farmers

Wed, 19 May 2010 01:00:00 GMT

19 May 2010, Maseru/Rome - Soaring food prices and the recent global economic downturn struck Lesotho hard. The European Union and FAO, in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (MAFS), are assisting over 36 000 farmers in Lesotho, more than half of its vulnerable farmers

FAO Regional Conference for Africa (ARC) Set for Angola

Fri, 09 Apr 2010 01:00:00 GMT

The 26th Session of the FAO Regional Conference for Africa (ARC) will be hosted by the Government of the Republic of Angola at the Belas Conferennce Centre in Luanda from 3rd to 7th May 2010. For conference documents, including the Agenda and Information Note for participants, go to - [...]

African Forestry and Wildlife Sector Heads Seek to Increase Awareness of Sectors' Contribution to Poverty Reduction in Africa

Mon, 22 Feb 2010 01:00:00 GMT

Heads of forestry and wildlife services from all over Africa are meeting in Brazzaville, Republic of Congo, for the 17th Session of the African Forestry and Wildlife Commission (AFWC) and the 1st ever African Forestry and Wildlife Week (AFWW). Participants are seeking to bring to the fore the need for [...]

FAO Regional Office for Africa celebrates 50th annivesary

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 01:00:00 GMT

FAO Regional Office for Africa celebrated its 50th birthday this month. Dignitaries and officials from across the region attended the celebratory event held on Friday 10th December 2009 at La Palm Hotel in Accra. The event included a speech from the Deputy Minister of Agriculture for Ghana. Guests were reminded [...]

Climate change in Africa: the threat to agriculture

Thu, 03 Dec 2009 01:00:00 GMT

Climate change is emerging as a major challenge to agriculture development in Africa. The increasingly unpredictable and erratic nature of weather systems on the continent have placed an extra burden on food security and rural livelihoods. Widespread destruction of farms and homes in recent record flooding in Burkina Faso and [...]

Africa's hungry paying the cost of the global downturn

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 01:00:00 GMT

6 November 2009, Accra - As the World Summit on Food Security approaches, the number of people affected by chronic hunger in Africa continues to rise.

Rising inflation as a result of the global downturn and the impact of last year’s soaring food prices have pushed up the [...]

Fishing for alternatives

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 01:00:00 GMT

Illegal fishing is threatening the livelihoods of many West African fishing communities. Alhaji Jallow of the FAO Regional Office for Africa believes that the scope of research needs to be broadened to include not just marine resources, but also the people who exploit them.

NEPAD and FAO Review their Collaboration

Thu, 10 Sep 2009 01:00:00 GMT

The New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) and the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) met last week to review their collaboration and partnership with regard to the implementation of the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP).

Regional Representative for Africa Assumes Office

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 01:00:00 GMT

Ms Maria Helena Semedo has been appointed Assistant Director-General/Regional Representative for Africa, and she assumed this position as today, 1 July 2009, while Mr Musa M.S. Mbenga, is acting as Officer-in-Charge for the sub-regional office for West Africa, and FAO Representative to Ghana a.i., as from 1 July 2009.

Supporting Ghana's fight against hunger

Thu, 23 Apr 2009 08:00:00 GMT

23 April 2009, Accra/Rome - The heads of two Rome-based food and agriculture agencies today said they are stepping up support to keep Ghana on course in its fight against hunger and poverty, stressing that millions of people remain vulnerable amid the global financial crisis and high food prices.

At [...]

Forests and the global economy: 10 million new jobs

Tue, 10 Mar 2009 01:00:00 GMT

10 March 2009, Rome - Ten million new “green jobs” can be created by investing in sustainable forest management, according to FAO. “As more jobs are lost due to the current economic downturn, sustainable forest management could become a means of creating millions of green jobs, thus helping to reduce [...]

RAF Management Meeting

Fri, 13 Feb 2009 01:00:00 GMT

Regional Office for Africa of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), is organizing a four-day Regional Management Meeting at La Palm Beach Hotel, Accra, Ghana from 16 to 19 February 2009. The overall objective of the meeting is to agree on basic principles upon [...]

Planned treaty will close ports to fish pirates

Tue, 03 Feb 2009 01:00:00 GMT

3 February 2009 - Representatives of over 80 countries have made significant progress in negotiating a binding international agreement aimed at closing ports to ships involved in illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.

Following five days of talks chaired by Brazil's Fabio Hazim last week at FAO's [...]

Agriculture in Gaza severely damaged

Mon, 02 Feb 2009 07:10:00 GMT

30 January 2008, Rome - Almost all of Gaza's 13 000 families who depend on farming, herding and fishing have suffered damage to their assets during the recent conflict and many farms have been completely destroyed, FAO said today.

Destruction caused to the agricultural sector has worsened ongoing [...]

Irrigation is key to Africa

Wed, 17 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

15 December 2008, Sirte, Libya - Water management is "a key element" in food security, FAO Director-General Jacques Diouf told a ministerial conference on Water for Agriculture and Energy in Africa: the Challenges of Climate Change which opened here today.

The conference is organized by FAO, as the Chair [...]

FAO members approve $42.6 million reform plan

Sat, 22 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Diouf appeals for new world agricultural order

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Climate change and forestry in Europe

Fri, 17 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT

17 October 2008, Rome – Europe’s forests are growing at the rate of about 360 million cubic metres annually, yet only two-thirds of this growth is being exploited. Given that forests are essential to the global energy balance, the vital role of forests in combatting climate change are among the [...]

Angola announces it will contribute to African-led food security fund

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 GMT

30 January 2013, Luanda - The Republic of Angola will contribute to the Africa Solidarity Trust Fund designed to boost efforts to eradicate hunger in the region, President José Eduardo Dos Santos announced today.

"Angola cannot be absent from the fight against hunger," said President Dos Santos during a meeting in [...]

African Union, FAO and Lula Institute join efforts to fight hunger in Africa

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 GMT

The decision was reached at a meeting between the Chairperson of the [...]

Somalia famine ends, but situation still dire

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 GMT

3 February 2012, Nairobi - The United Nations declared an end to famine conditions in Somalia today, but warned that with recurrent droughts in the Horn of Africa hunger remains a threat unless long-term measures are taken to restore food security.

According to a new report by the FAO-managed [...]

African nations discuss creation of an African food security trust fund

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 GMT

30 April 2012, Brazzaville – The creation of an African-funded trust fund to support food security in the continent was discussed at FAO’s Regional Conference for Africa, held last week in Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo.

Complementing international resource mobilization, the Africa Trust Fund would raise resources in the continent to [...]

FAO to launch The State of Food and Agriculture 2010‐11 Report during 22nd African Commission for Agricultural Statistics meeting in Addis Ababa

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 GMT

The 2010‐11 edition of the Food and Agriculture Organization’s (FAO) of the United Nation’s annual flagship report the State of Food and Agriculture (SOFA) is titled “Women in Agriculture – Closing the gender gap for development. This publication makes a strong “business case” for addressing gender issues in agriculture and [...]