News

Launched at UNCCD COP17, explore the new FAO-UNCCD guidance on avoiding, reducing and reversing agricultural land and soil degradation.

News

Global assessment finds soil erosion remains the most severe threat, while sustainable soil management practices are not being adopted fast enough

Promoting integrated management of land, soil, and water resources

FAO’s leading work on land, soil and water advances the sustainable management and restoration of these resources as the foundation for food security and nutrition, resilient livelihoods and healthy ecosystems. The Organization supports its Members through policy guidance, technical expertise and innovative solutions that integrate governance, conservation, efficient and sustainable use of natural resources, climate resilience and data-driven decision-making.

By combining strong technical expertise with cutting-edge geospatial technologies, FAO promotes integrated land, soil and water approaches that avoid, reduce and reverse natural resource degradation, desertification, water scarcity, droughts and climate risks and shocks. With 95 percent of food produced on land, FAO equips and empowers farmers and works with partners, placing land, soil and water resources at the heart of the global transition towards more efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems, contributing to the Four Betters of FAO's Strategic Framework: better production, better nutrition, a better environment and a better life, leaving no one behind. More ❯❯

Highlights
Status of the world's soil resources 2026
2026

In an effort to improve understanding of the status of this resource and to identify threats and activities leading to its degradation, the Intergovernmental...

Living soils, productive lands, resilient landscapes: Guidance on avoiding, reducing and reversing agricultural land and soil degradation
2026

The guidance provides a framework for land degradation neutrality in agricultural landscapes through integrated land-use planning, sustainable land-use...

The State of the World’s Land and Water Resources for Food and Agriculture 2025 (SOLAW25): The potential to produce more and better
2025

The 2025 edition of The State of the World’s Land and Water Resources for Food and Agriculture underscores the urgent challenges of human-induced land...


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Upcoming events

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16/10

2026

Hybrid Event, 12/10/2026 - 16/10/2026

  


Latest publications
Status of the world's soil resources 2026
2026

In an effort to improve understanding of the status of this resource and to identify threats and activities leading to its degradation, the Intergovernmental...

Living soils, productive lands, resilient landscapes: Guidance on avoiding, reducing and reversing agricultural land and soil degradation
2026

The guidance provides a framework for land degradation neutrality in agricultural landscapes through integrated land-use planning, sustainable land-use...

Historical assessment of agricultural drought impact in the Syrian Arab Republic (2021–2025)
2026

The Syrian Arab Republic's agricultural sector is highly vulnerable to drought due to its dependence on rainfall, limited water resources and increasing...

Monitoring agricultural indicators related to agrifood systems in Nigeria
2026

A geospatial analysis of Kebbi, Niger, Ondo and Cross River states.

Monitoring and assessing land and soil health FAO's contribution to evidence-based land and soil governance
2026

This brief outlines FAO's work supporting countries in monitoring and assessing land and soil degradation, with a focus on SDG Indicator 15.3.1 reporting...

Integrated land use planning FAO's framework for evidence-based, investment-oriented land governance
2026

Together with members and partners, FAO has updated the global guidelines and supporting tools, and is already assisting countries in translating integrated...

Multimedia
Thorunn Wolfram | Launch of the Status of the World’s Soil Resources 2026
18/09/2026

In this video , Thorunn Wolfram, Secretary of the Global Soil Partnership (GSP), shares key messages from the launch of the Status of the World’s Soil...

UNCCD COP17 video series featuring Xiangjun Yao, Director of FAO work with SIDS, LDCs and LLDCs
18/09/2026

In this video interview, Xiangjun Yao discusses the role of strong partnerships in accelerating agrifood systems transformation in Landlocked Developing...

UNCCD COP17 video series featuring Gregorio Velasco Gil, Secretary of the IYRP 2026
18/09/2026

In this video interview, Gregorio Velasco Gil highlights how the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists (IYRP2026) is advancing sustainable...

UNCCD COP17 video series featuring Soalandy Rakotondramanga, Land & Water Officer
18/09/2026

In this video interview, Soalandy Rakotondramanga highlights how degraded agricultural lands threaten food security, livelihoods and resilience. FAO...

UNCCD COP17 video series featuring Maher Salman, FAO Senior Land & Water Officer
18/09/2026

In this video interview, Maher Salman discusses FAO’s collaboration with the UNCCD and the GEF to help countries better anticipate and manage droughts,...

Land Characterization System (LCHS) Software – Video Tutorial
29/06/2026

This video tutorial introduces the FAO’s Land Characterization System software (LCHS), an ISO-compliant tool for creating and managing land cover legends...

Land Cover as a fundamental spatial information for sustainable resilient agriculture in the Gambia
30/01/2024

This documentary, generously funded by FAO and the Roots project, illuminates The Gambia's groundbreaking land cover map. A visual masterpiece, it unveils...

National Land Representation System and Land Cover Map 2015 of Bangladesh
04/10/2018

Bangladesh is one of the most densely populated countries in the world. The pressure of this huge population on the limited land resource is changing...

Unlocking opportunity crops to help farmers grow more with less - The AWSAMe initiative
21/05/2026

In Malawi, AWSAMe is promoting opportunity crops such as sorghum and cowpeas, helping communities address climate change and water scarcity while improving...

Smart Farming - The next revolution of agrifood systems
01/07/2026

Smart farming systems are driving the next revolution in agrifood systems by combining sustainable practices with data, digital technologies, artificial...

WWWeek At Home 2020: “Freshwater for Food and Nutrition Security in SIDS”
27/08/2020

The remotely located Small Island Developing States (SIDS) face a raft of challenges to sustain their Food Security. SIDS fragilities come to the fore...

WWWeek At Home 2020: “Tenure Approaches for Securing Rights and Advancing Climate Resilience”
27/08/2020

Secure and equitable frameworks governing water tenure—relationships between water users at all levels—are a fundamental component of sustainable and...

WWWeek At Home 2020: “Sustainable Oases Initiative”
08/09/2020

Oases ecosystems provide important economic, ecological, social and cultural goods and services. They are also the last line of defense against desertification....

WWWeek At Home 2020: “Evading Food and Water Crises in the COVID Era”
09/09/2020

The catastrophe caused by the global COVID-19 pandemic has greatly impacted human wellbeing and particularly vulnerable populations at local, regional...

Webinar: Scaling Resilient Water and Agriculture Management Practices for Sustainable Rice Intensification in East Africa
18/09/2020

Achieving food security remains a major challenge in the East Africa region. With increasing demand for food due to population growth and improvements...

AQUASTAT – Three decades of water data for a food-secure future
03/04/2025

AQUASTAT, FAO’s global information system on water and agriculture, was first launched in the 1990s, and would become a cornerstone of FAO’s water programme...

Mapping the future of food – FAO’s Geospatial story
11/04/2025

Food production is shaped by geography—land, water, and climate determine where, how and what food we grow. Since its earliest days, the Food and Agriculture...

LAND & SOIL - A legacy of action for a food secure and resilient future
03/06/2025

For 80 years, FAO has championed sustainable land and soil management for food security and resilience. From its founding message—"Our land only holds...

Can less water grow more rice? Paddy producers’ surprising farming breakthrough in Sri Lanka
09/07/2025

In view of the projected global water demand, improved water use efficiency in irrigation is crucial to sustainably increase agricultural productivity....

Can less water grow more rice? Paddy producers’ surprising farming breakthrough in Zambia
09/07/2025

In view of the projected global water demand, improved water use efficiency in irrigation is crucial to sustainably increase agricultural productivity....