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Two of Asia-Pacific’s leading organizations and institutes have formally pledged to work together to develop innovative approaches in research, education and capacity building to counter hunger, malnutrition and food insecurity in the region. A memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) was signed today at the FAO’s Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, in Bangkok. “This...

Two months after Typhoon Haiyan struck the Philippines, Norway's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Børge Brende, lauded FAO for its work in helping rice farmers replace devastated crops with new seeds.   Brende visited farmers in Tingib village, Samar province, Eastern Visayas region in the central Philippines, the area most affected by the typhoon (known locally as Yolanda)  last 8 November. The storm left more than 6,000 people dead and devastated...

The FAO Food Price Index averaged 206.7 points in December, nearly unchanged from the previous month, with a sharp increase in dairy prices and high meat values balancing out a steep decline in sugar quotations and lower cereal and oil prices. For 2013 as a whole, the index averaged 209.9 points – down 1.6 percent from 2012 and well below 2011's peak of 230.1, but still the third highest annual value...

The government of Timor-Leste has today announced it is officially joining the global fight against hunger and malnutrition. The announcement was made during a high-level event in the capital Dili by the Prime Minister of Timor-Leste, Kay Rala Xanana Gusmao. The event was graced by the presence of Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn of the Kingdom of Thailand, a strong advocate of global efforts to eradicate hunger and malnutrition. The United...

One month after Typhoon Haiyan struck a devastating blow to the Philippines, farmers who lost essential crops and supplies are receiving the first wave of emergency seeds, restoring hope for a productive planting season and much-needed food for the coming year. FAO and the Philippines' Department of Agriculture (DA) have begun delivering the first rice and corn seed allocations to rural communities in the Visayan island group. As a result, some...

Farmers across Asia and the Pacific could soon have access to new and innovative technologies that would help them meet the region’s demand for increased food production and food security, a UN-convened meeting announced today. Leaders in agricultural research and extension services from across the Asia-Pacific region and representatives from civil society, private sector and international organizations today concluded an Expert Consultation on ‘Strengthening Linkages between Research and Extension to...

In recent years, climate-smart agriculture has emerged as a proven approach to ensure food security, increase agricultural productivity and incomes, build resilience to climate change and reduce emissions. However, what is often overlooked is the vast contribution of women in climate-smart agriculture. In many countries of ASEAN and beyond, women account for up to 50 percent of agricultural outputs. As women play an increasing and central role in agriculture and natural resources...

Philippine fishers face immense damage to the fisheries and aquaculture sectors in regions affected by Typhoon Haiyan, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization said today, calling for prompt and sustainable actions to help rebuild livelihoods.“Even though we still only have a partial picture, it is clear that the damage caused to the fisheries sector is immense and spans the entire value chain, from catch to market,” said Rodrigue Vinet, acting...

The  global campaign against hunger launched by the Caritas confederation is an important contribution to raise awareness of the plight of millions of hungry people around the globe and to work towards the elimination of hunger, said Marcela Villarreal, Director of FAO's Office for Partnerships, Advocacy and Capacity Development. The campaign ‘One Human Family, Food for All’ was launched in Rome today with a video message of Pope Francis. In his message,...

Adverse weather in parts of Asia has taken a toll on rice production in a number of countries in the region, the FAO announced today.  According to FAO’s Rice Market Monitor (RMM) for November, global paddy production in 2013, while still expected to outpace 2012 production, has been revised downward by some five million tonnes to 741.4 million tonnes (494.2 million tonnes, milled basis). The predicted result by the end of...