The Near East and North Africa (NENA) region has the lowest per-capita fresh water resource availability among all regions of the world and in the coming decades, it faces a severe intensification of water scarcity as well as more frequent, intense and long droughts. The agriculture sector will be particularly affected, as wheat yields, olive tree yields, and numbers of livestock are projected to decline under all climate change scenarios. Given that agriculture consumes 85 percent of fresh water, the agricultural industry will need to enhance its water efficiency and productivity. At the government level, policy reform...

“The project contributes to the economic and social development of communities, through the responsible use of natural raw materials.” Tarsicio Granizo, Minister of the Environment, Government of Ecuador. The Chimborazo Natural Resources Management Project is a joint effort by the Chimborazo Provincial Council (CHPC), other national partners, FAO, and the GEF to support the conservation and sustainable management of the páramo ecosystem and its natural resources and the improvement of the livelihood situation of the local population. Ecuador is one of the world’s most biologically diverse countries, due to the extraordinary variety of ecosystems and species that...

 “I sold five times more seeds in two fairs than I normally do in my shop in a month.” Surey Liphava, 50, a vendor in Blantyre Rural district. In December 2015, FAO’s Global Information and Early Warning System issued a special alert on the effects of El Niño in Southern Africa. Based on this information, FAO drafted the Southern Africa El Niño Response Plan 2016 to support the rapid recovery of agricultural production and to safeguard livestock-based livelihoods in ways that boost household and national food security in the subregion. With financial support from...

“If we had not received the rice seeds and fertilizer, we would have lost hope. As it stands, we are already deep in debt [from the previous cropping season]. So imagine if we had to borrow again. Some of the earnings [from the next harvest] we will use to pay our debts, some to re-invest in our livelihood, the rest of the proceeds and part of our harvest is to support our family.” Ruben Abella, Chairman of the Burgos Upland Farmers Association When Typhoon Koppu made landfall in the Philippines in October 2015, it destroyed lives, livelihood and...

"Seeing a field of dead crops from drought is every farmer’s nightmare. Sadly, it was my reality," said Ms. Dinh Thi Cam, when drought severely damaged her chili crop in Gia Lai. Her family received vouchers for farming materials, essential in restoring farming activities. "We are now fully equipped with seeds and materials for the next agricultural season without looking for additional loans," she said. Vietnam suffered its worst drought in 90 years in 2015 and 2016. The El Niño-induced dry spell left one million people in need of food assistance and 1.75 million lost...