Helping fisherfolk help themselves

19 December 2003, Bangkok, Thailand -- Small-scale artisanal fishing and fish farming are crucial to many of Asia's poor, but national policies and development strategies don't always reflect this reality. FAO and partner organizations are empowering local communities to tap aquatic resources sustainably and to play an active role in policy discussions on management of these resources.

Making agricultural policy "AIDS-proof"

1 December 2003, Maputo, Mozambique -- Policy-makers from nine AIDS-affected African countries have developed a seven-step process for ensuring that agricultural policy doesn’t fail because it has not taken the effects of the disease into consideration. The latest data show that by 2020 the HIV/AIDS epidemic will have claimed one-fifth or more of the agricultural labour force in most southern African countries.

Hybrid oil palms bear fruit in western Kenya

24 November 2003, Rome -- A hybrid oil palm being promoted by FAO could be a boon to small-scale farmers and industrial producers in western Kenya, improving incomes and diets, and reducing imports of food oil.

Community-based research nets results in Benin

28 July 2003, Aido Beach, Benin -- A fishing community in Benin tested an experimental beach seine net with larger mesh size and found they made more, not less, money from the catch. Scientists could have done the research, but could they have convinced a sceptical fishing sector to adopt the nets?

Tick control moves ahead

14 July 2003, Rome -- FAO's efforts to eradicate the tropical bont tick have been successful in a large part of the Caribbean. Now the Organization's tick-fighting programme is targeting Antigua, Nevis and St. Maarten where more than half of the Caribbean cattle population is found and the tick is still widespread.

Rabbit breeding raises incomes in Egypt

20 May 2003, Cairo, Egypt -- An FAO project is providing know-how, animals and equipment to help low-income families increase their household food security.

Help for deaf fishing community

17 April 2003, Conakry, Guinea -- A deaf community now support themselves through fishing after an FAO project provided them with a canoe, outboard motor and nets.

Managing the world’s animal genetic resources

21 March 2003, Dirab, Saudi Arabia -- FAO is helping countries strengthen their capacity to conserve and develop local breeds.

Africa and Asia team up to fight AIDS through agriculture

7 March 2003, Bangkok, Thailand -- African and Asian government officials, aid workers and UN specialists attending a recent workshop swapped strategies for encouraging farmers on both continents to use their agricultural know-how and traditional knowledge to help their communities survive the devastating impact of HIV/AIDS.

Cedars of Lebanon rescued from new insect

13 February 2003, Rome -- A pest that had been ravaging the emblematic cedars of Lebanon, Cedrus libani, is finally under control after a battle lasting nearly five years. Cephalcia tannourinensis, a wood wasp, threatened to wipe out most of Lebanon's cedar forests and spread to neighbouring countries.