News

Nairobi/Rome — The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the European Union (EU) have signed a four-year 47 million euro programme designed to strengthen the resilience of pastoralists in Eastern Africa. The initiative, named “Pastoralism and Livestock Adaptation to Climate Change in Eastern Africa Programme (PLACE),” is designed to address the challenges in developing sustainable, climate-resilient pastoral systems across the environmental, economic and social dimensions of pastoralism in the face of a rapidly changing climate. “The EU has been a longstanding partner in Eastern Africa, especially in enhancing the...

25/07/2024 The beans pop out of their sheathing as Elisabeth Da Conceiçao lays them out to dry. It’s the end of the harvesting season. This year there was enough rain that she could keep some of the beans, sweet potatoes and corn for her family’s consumption, but also sell some...

Rome/Juba – The Government of South Sudan, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the World Bank have stepped up efforts to help smallholder farmers in South Sudan build climate resilience in the face of recurring floods and other extreme weather-related hazards. A $30 million contribution from the World Bank – a grant through its International Development Association – aims to support good agricultural practices, agroforestry and natural resource management skills of farmers, fisherfolks and livestock herders. It will help to adapt climate-smart technologies to enhance agricultural production, including rainfed rice cultivation in flood-affected areas;...

Sanya — The First FAO Technical Workshop on the Implementation of the One Country One Priority Product (OCOP) Initiative for Demonstration Countries was held in Sanya, China from 15 to 18 July 2024. The focal points from 16 OCOP demonstration countries across the five FAO regions and diverse geographic zones, including tropics, drylands, and mountainous regions.

A $52.3 million project approved today by the Green Climate Fund (GCF) aims to help Malawi cope with the devastating effects of climate change and boost the country's long-term food security. Led by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the project is set to benefit nearly 575,000 vulnerable people in rural communities over six years. It will deliver urgently needed investments in adaption and resilience in Malawi, which the UN categorizes as a Least Developed Country. The project, Ecosystems-based Adaptation for Resilient Watersheds and Communities in Malawi (EbAM),...

Rome / Beijing, 11 July 2024 – The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (MARA) of the People’s Republic of China reaffirmed their commitment to agrifood system transformations and the realization of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) during the 12th Annual Consultation Meeting (ACM) of the FAO-China South-South Cooperation (SSC) Programme. The meeting was convened virtually and was co-chaired by FAO and MARA. In his opening remarks, Mr. Anping Ye, Director of the FAO South-South and Triangular Cooperation Division, noted substantial advancements in the Programme's implementation during 2023-24 and expressed his gratitude to the...

Panama City 4 July 2024 – The Agriculture, Livestock, and Fisheries Committee of the Latin American and Caribbean Parliament (PARLATINO) has taken a crucial step by approving a Model Law on the Promotion of Agroecology, an innovative legislative framework that promotes sustainable and resilient agricultural practices in Latin America and the Caribbean. This legislation, developed in close collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and supported by the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID) and the Mexican Agency for International Development Cooperation (AMEXCID), represents a significant advancement towards food security and sustainable development in...

Midrand, South Africa. The Pan-African Parliament (PAP) has adopted a Model Law on Cooperatives for Africa during the Third Ordinary Session of the Sixth Parliament of the Pan-African Parliament in Midrand, South Africa.  The PAP’s Committee on Monetary and Financial Affairs presented the draft Model Law after extensive engagements and active support of stakeholders, particularly from FAO and the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA).   The Model Law will serve as a guide and an advocacy tool for the development and review of legislation on cooperatives. For countries without cooperative legislation, the Model Law can inspire the adoption of new laws, and for those...

Bujumbura, Burundi. 26 June 2024. An FAO delegation visited Burundi to raise awareness on the role and opportunities for parliamentarians to tackle food security, malnutrition and poverty issues by transforming agrifood systems. The delegation was led by Athman Mravili, Coordinator of FAO’s Sub-Regional Office for Central Africa; Jean Leonard Touadi, Special Coordinator for Parliamentary Networks at FAO Headquarters; and Aissa Mamadoultaibou, Nutrition Officer in the Sub-Regional Office for Central Africa. The delegation was received by the Right Honourable Emmanuel Sinzohagera, Speaker of the Senate, and the Right Honourable Gélase Ndabirabe, Speaker of National Assembly. Mr Mravili and Mr Touadi encouraged the Speakers...

Rome, Italy – The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and Action Aid International (AAI) have signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to reinforce their collaboration in supporting family farming, advancing agroecology, and strengthening small-scale food producers’ organizations worldwide. The MoU was signed virtually on July 7, 2024, by FAO Deputy-Director General Elizabeth A. Bechdol and Action Aid Director ad interim of Global Political and Program Strategy David Archer.