Since the beginning of the global COVID-19 outbreak, FAO has been collaborating closely with the...
Regional Initiatives
As economic reforms in the 1990s shifted land ownership into the hands of private smallholders, family farmers became the predominant source of agricultural production in the region. To address the absence of well-developed institutional support, FAO is implementing a Regional Initiative on Empowering Smallholders and Family Farms for Improved Rural Livelihoods and Poverty Reduction.
While international trade policy is usually implemented at the border, adherence to food safety and quality standards concerns national food safety systems as well as food safety and quality control at the enterprise level. This means that a supportive policy environment for modern agrifood trade encompasses not only border policies, but also policies and institutions at the national and enterprise level.
The impact of climate change can already be felt on food production systems in the region, posing considerable challenges for agricultural production and food security. FAO is helping countries to manage their natural resources sustainably, while also coping with climate change and reducing the risk of disasters affecting agriculture, forestry and fisheries.
Stories from the field
“Come in, come in. I’ll show you our chickens,” invites Tetiana with shining eyes. “I made a saddle for them here, a drinking place. And they usually sleep in this coop.” She lives one kilometer from the “contact line” in the east of Ukraine. She bred chickens before the conflict, growing broilers for sale, and now she is engaged in livestock activities again, but under daily shelling. There is also a small garden near the house where a variety of vegetables and fruits are grown.
Being a veterinarian isn’t always easy and definitely comes with unique challenges, but the rewards of the career are plentiful. Animal doctors wouldn’t want to do anything different. No two days are alike for these veterinarians. They get to examine different types of animals, see a variety of injuries and conditions and utilize many diagnostic tools to determine the best plans of action. However, gaining a wide range of experience for young vets can take years of practice.
Viticulture is one of Armenia’s most recognizable and valuable national assets. The history of wine growing in Armenia dates back over 6 000 years. For the past five years, FAO projects have been addressing plant pest (phylloxera) issues and laying the groundwork for sustainable grape production in Armenia.