Parties at the 13th Conference of the Parties (COP13) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in 2016 called for the mainstreaming of biodiversity across the agriculture sectors. FAO offered to act as the Biodiversity Mainstreaming Platform (the Platform) to facilitate dialogue and exchanges between governments and other stakeholders regarding the sustainable use, management and...

Following the outbreak of coronavirus, the European Union's agri-food sector is showing its resilience and continues to provide Europeans with high quality and safe food. Nonetheless, farmers and producers are facing difficulties and increasing pressure. Ensuring food security and an effective food supply chain across the continent remains one of...

The main theme of the conference is “Organic Animal Husbandry systems – challenges, performance and potentials”, taking into account the diversity of organic and sustainable animal husbandry systems. Particular attention has been given to dairy and pig systems, parasites and the replacement of inputs. The Video Pre-Conference 2020 will be...

Young people are regarded as the drivers of a better future for societies. And rural youth represent the future of agriculture and sustainable farming systems now increasingly being acknowledged as key to solving some of the leading world challenges like food insecurity, livelihood dislocation, environmental destruction and widespread poverty. But...

Farming is the bedrock of India’s economy—43 per cent of its population are employed in agriculture. Yet, paradoxically, around 60 per cent of India’s people is likely to experience severe food shortages by 2050. Climate change impacts—including crop losses due to global heating—unregulated use of fertilizers and pesticides leading that degrade the soils,...

The report complements the usual assessment of food security and nutrition with projections of what the world may look like in 2030, if trends of the last decade continue. Projections show that the world is not on track to achieve Zero Hunger by 2030 and, despite some progress, most indicators...

¿Qué manejos realizas en invierno para cuidar tus colmenas? Sigue las tres recomendaciones de Francisco Carvallo, investigador del programa Manejo Territorial de Insectos, y descubre alternativas sustentables para la apicultura. Más info en: https://bit.ly/3iDOmsl

The IFOAM International Animal Husbandry Alliance (IAHA) is an informal network of individuals and organizations interested in supporting and strengthening the development of organic animal husbandry. 

No dig beds not only save from back-breaking work of digging but also create favourable conditions for microbial life in the soil. In this video, Nasira Habib shares how she prepares no-dig beds to grow vegetables and flowers in her organic home garden.

By eliminating unwarranted opening of new land for farming, indiscriminate cutting of trees and bushfires, woodlands are regenerating, wild mushrooms can be harvested again and small wildlife like bushbucks are returning. Tortoises and snakes including the much feared black mamba cobras are reoccupying their original habitats. The degraded environment and...

El Corredor Seco Centroamericano (CSC) es una de las áreas centroamericanas más afectada por los eventos extremos, en particular la sequía. Con el objetivo de fortalecer la sostenibilidad, inclusión y resiliencia de los sistemas productivos de los países del SICA, se realiza un inventario de buenas prácticas y tecnologías para...

Bokashi is a nutrient-dense, fast-acting and soil-regenerating fertiliser. It helps increase the amount of organic matter in the soil and create conducive conditions for microbial activity. Nasira Habib explains how you can make bokashi at your garden or farm.

Three researchers from France, Denmark and Sweden claim that the most current method for assessing the environmental impact of agriculture and food could be missing some important elements. This has led to some studies misrepresenting the benefits of organic farming.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) launched  pioneering project to provide capacity building and technical support for the Integrated Agri-Aquaculture (IAA) farming systems in Jordan.In line with a technical cooperation agreement signed between the two parties in early January, FAO...

Situated at the end of Zambia’s Great Rift Valley, the Luangwa Valley has ecological riches but pervasive poverty. Poaching and subsistence farming of maize and sorghum are the main livelihoods. Increasingly, families are also relying on cash crops, such as cotton and tobacco, rendering them less able to meet their...

The Vjosa is the second largest river basin (approximately 6 808 km2) in Albania and one of the longest transboundary rivers in the Balkan area. The Vjosa catchment is shared among many cities, such as Erseke, Permet, Gjirokaster, Tepelene, Mallakaster, Fier, and Vlore. Because the waterway has not been subjected...

The COVID-19 pandemic has focused the mind, and in the context of the UK, raised pressing questions about food security and food resilience – questions now asked by everyday folk as we see an uptake of veg box schemes and backyard growing becoming more vigorous, while farmers of all types...

Climate change threatens over 15 percent of Armenia’s higher plant species with extinction. Semi-desert and desert areas are projected to expand by 30 percent, accelerating desertification. More frequent summer droughts and water stress will reduce the growth rate of trees and increase susceptibility to pests and diseases; at the same...

Sand dams are a simple and cost-effective rainwater-harvesting technique which can provide a lifetime supply of clean water within 30 minutes of people’s homes. They can save up to 11.5 hours each day (otherwise spent on collecting water) in periods of drought. A sand dam is a reinforced stone masonry...

Water is one of the most scarce resources for African farmers. Access to enough water in semi-arid regions is a huge challenge and shortages can lead to the loss of lives and livelihoods in times of drought. With climate change, water conservation will only become more imperative. Ethiopia has one...