Known for their smaller size and brown colour, Busha cattle have withstood the harsh climate...
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, Family Farms and Youth 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, preserving biodiversity, while also coping with climate change and reducing the risk of disasters affecting agriculture, forestry and fisheries.
Our work
In their pursuit to ensure an equitable and sustainable future, governments can rely on FAO expertise in food and agriculture. Responding to the needs of Europe and Central Asia, the Organization is offering support in many specific areas.
Stories from the field
Creating healthy soil, and keeping soil healthy, is one of the greatest challenges of our times, with pollution being a significant stumbling block. Starting today, a Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) project is helping Serbia to assess the risk of diffuse agricultural soil pollution. It will also facilitate the proper use of remediation practices on agricultural land in Serbia, with the ultimate goal of protecting the environment and promoting sustainable agricultural production.
To this end, the project will bridge the gap in assessing and managing diffuse agricultural soil pollution, and address the lack of data on the usage of fertilizers and pesticides. Specifically, it will assist the Serbian authorities in identifying highly concerning substances, increase the knowledge and awareness of farmers in order to reduce the risk of diffuse soil pollution, and improve pesticide and fertilizer management.
In March of 2021, a Montenegrin cow became the first known exemplar of the species – indeed, the first farm asset of any kind – to be bought with a virtual currency in the western Balkans. Comically but appropriately enough, she was named Bitkoinka.
An apple a day keeps the doctor away, so the saying goes. FAO, jointly with Turkey’s Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, and other local partners, is helping to ensure Turkish consumers get their daily apple free of both pests and pesticides.