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Bangkok – The government of Japan today allocated $4.6 million (Baht 150 million) through the UN Trust Fund for Human Security for a pioneering initiative over the next three years to improve the quality of life and reduce poverty among vulnerable groups in Mae Hong Son province.Poverty incidence among marginal farmers, ethnic minorities and migrants is high in Mae Hong Son, particularly for people who have little if any access...

Manilla - Carbon markets offer promising new opportunities for simultaneously addressing climate change and chronic forest management challenges in developing countries, according to the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization.Carbon trading schemes are increasingly seen as effective mechanisms to motivate local actions for addressing the global challenges of climate change. With recent recognition of the importance of trees and forests in climate change mitigation efforts, carbon markets are refocusing to reward...

Apia --- One week after the tsunami hit Samoa, family food security is extremely fragile, according the FAO’s early recovery needs assessment. Most victims are at the moment relying on external food assistance or moved to live with relatives and/or friends, putting additional pressure on the limited food availability. Restoring the key lost assets essential for food security and enabling rural households to resume food production is an urgent priority.The...

Funds diverted to help small farmers and fishers after tsunami Apia, Samoa – The UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) said today it is preparing recovery efforts in Samoa in anticipation of the outcome of rapid assessment missions that will determine the extent of last week’s tsunami damage on the livelihoods of small farmers and fishing communities in the Pacific island country.The early morning tsunami, generated by an earthquake measuring...

FAO’s forecast of global paddy production in 2009 is 668 million tonnes, 3 percent less than in 2008, reflecting unfavourable climatic conditions in northern hemisphere Asian countries, which are about to harvest their main 2009 paddy crops. Despite the anticipated decline, production in 2009 would still be high, second only to the record hit in 2008.Delayed progress of monsoon rains and erratic precipitation patterns are behind a worsening of the...

Vientiane - A two day meeting for senior food safety risk managers and scientific advisors was held in Vientiane on 21–22 September 2009 to prioritise food safety problems and discuss decision-making strategies for their effective control. The meeting was opened by Dr. Bounkouang Phichit, Vice-Minister, Ministry of Health. In his opening remarks Dr. Phichit stressed the importance of education, training and science to strengthen food handling and storage practices by...

NEW FAO PROJECT LAUNCHED:Vientiane - An innovative project that aims at strengthening the capacity in animal production and veterinary services in Lao PDR was launched on Friday in Vientiane capital. H.E. Dr. Bounkhouang Khambounheuang Director General of Livestock and Fisheries and Mr. Serge Verniau FAO Representative to Lao PDR spoke at the opening. “A diversity of animal production, including cattle, buffalo, pigs, poultry and insect, is of crucial importance to...

Working with the Office of the Council of Ministers and the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) today launched a $ 475 000 project to help develop the Cambodian silk sector. The two-year project will assist the production of disease-free silkworm eggs, provide good quality silkworm and mulberry, strengthen government staff technical capacity, and train and disseminate new technology to...

Over 80 participants, from 12 Asia-Pacific nations, gathered at the First Regional Forum for People and Forests, convened in Hanoi, Vietnam, from 18-20 August 2009. The participants concluded that local people hold the key to healthy forests and agreed on "Call for Action", for including forest-depended communities in the battle against climate change. For more information and detailed coverage on the forum please visit: www.recoftc.orgMore information at:http://www.recoftc.org/site/fileadmin/docs/Events/CF_Forum/Regional_forum_presentations/Call_Action.pdf

THE FIRST REGIONAL FORUM FOR PEOPLE AND FORESTS Carbon Financing and Community Forestry (18-20 August)Hanoi - Local communities could hold the key to forest-related climate change efforts in Asia-Pacific, a regional forum concluded this morning. Carbon markets, enabling developed countries to offset carbon emissions by paying for the protection of forests, may offer a new possibility to slow or even reverse forest destruction.However, Dr Yam Malla, Executive Director of RECOFTC...