FAO Knowledge Repository BETA

The FAO Knowledge Repository is FAO's official open repository, providing access to all of its publications. Through its open access policy, FAO seeks to increase the dissemination of its knowledge and to contribute to the scientific and technical impact of the Organization. 

 

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Featured publications

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Action Plan for the implementation of the FAO Strategy on Mainstreaming Biodiversity Across Agricultural Sectors 2024–2027
The Action Plan for the implementation of the FAO Strategy on Mainstreaming Biodiversity across Agricultural Sectors 2024–2027 reflects experiences gained from the implementation of the 2021–2023 Action Plan. It takes into account the Framework for Action on Biodiversity for Food and Agriculture, endorsed by the Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (CGRFA) and by the Council in 2021. It is aligned with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF), adopted by the 15th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in December 2022.In alignment with the FAO Strategy on Mainstreaming Biodiversity across Agricultural Sectors, FAO implements the Action Plan based on the principles of effective governance, partnerships, a knowledge-based approach, inclusiveness, and gender equality and women’s empowerment.
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FAO publications catalogue 2023
This catalogue aims to improve the dissemination and outreach of FAO’s knowledge products and overall publishing programme. By providing information on its key publications in every area of FAO’s work, and catering to a range of audiences, it thereby contributes to all organizational outcomes. From statistical analysis to specialized manuals to children’s books, FAO publications cater to a diverse range of audiences. This catalogue presents a selection of FAO’s main publications, produced in 2023 or earlier, ranging from its global reports and general interest publications to numerous specialized titles. In addition to the major themes of agriculture, forestry and fisheries, it also includes thematic sections on climate change, economic and social development, and food safety and nutrition.
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The Impact of Disasters on Agriculture and Food Security 2023
Disasters are resulting in unprecedented levels of destruction across the world. These shocks and disruptions affect the functioning and sustainability of agricultural production and threaten the livelihoods of millions of people reliant on agrifood systems.Reducing the impact of disasters in agriculture requires a better understanding of the extent to which these events produce negative impacts in agriculture and necessitates an investigation into the underlying risks that make agriculture vulnerable to the effects of disasters.The FAO flagship report on ‘The Impact of Disasters on Agriculture and Food Security’ provides a timely and comprehensive overview of how disasters are affecting agriculture and food security around the world.Building on previous work of the FAO on this topic, the report estimates losses caused by disasters on agricultural production over the past three decades and delves into the diverse threats and impacts affecting the crops, livestock, forestry, and fisheries and aquaculture subsectors. It analyzes the complex interplay of underlying risks, such as climate change, pandemics, epidemics and armed conflicts, and how they drive disaster risk in agriculture and agrifood systems at large.The report provides examples of actions and strategies for investing in resilience and proactively addressing risks in agriculture. It demonstrates ways to mainstream disaster risk into agricultural practices and policies and calls for a deeper understanding of the context in which these solutions are implemented.
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Agrifood solutions to climate change
Amid a worsening climate crisis and slow progress in cutting greenhouse gases, sustainable agrifood systems practices can help countries and communities to adapt, build resilience and mitigate emissions, ensuring food security and nutrition for a growing global population. FAO is working with countries and partners from government to community level to simultaneously address the challenges of food security, climate change and biodiversity loss.But none of this will ultimately succeed unless the world commits to a significant increase in the quality and quantity of climate finance.

Trending publications

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    Book (series)
    Respecting free, prior and informed consent
    Practical guidance for governments, companies, NGOs, indigenous peoples and local communities in relation to land acquisition
    2014
    Improving governance of tenure is the objective of the Voluntary Guidelines on the Responsible Governance of Tenure of Land, Fisheries and Forests in the Context of National Food Security (Guidelines), which serve as a reference and set out principles and internationally accepted standards for responsible practices. The Guidelines state that responsible investments should do no harm, safeguard against dispossession of legitimate tenure right holders and environmental damage, and should respect human rights. This technical guide on Respecting free, prior and informed consent (FPIC) sets out practical actions for government agencies to respect and protect FPIC and for civil society organizations, land users and private investors globally to comply with their responsibilities in relation to FPIC, as endorsed by the Guidelines.
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    Book (series)
    The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2023
    Urbanization, agrifood systems transformation and healthy diets across the rural–urban continuum
    2023
    This report provides an update on global progress towards the targets of ending hunger (SDG Target 2.1) and all forms of malnutrition (SDG Target 2.2) and estimates on the number of people who are unable to afford a healthy diet. Since its 2017 edition, this report has repeatedly highlighted that the intensification and interaction of conflict, climate extremes and economic slowdowns and downturns, combined with highly unaffordable nutritious foods and growing inequality, are pushing us off track to meet the SDG 2 targets. However, other important megatrends must also be factored into the analysis to fully understand the challenges and opportunities for meeting the SDG 2 targets. One such megatrend, and the focus of this year’s report, is urbanization. New evidence shows that food purchases in some countries are no longer high only among urban households but also among rural households. Consumption of highly processed foods is also increasing in peri-urban and rural areas of some countries. These changes are affecting people’s food security and nutrition in ways that differ depending on where they live across the rural–urban continuum. This timely and relevant theme is aligned with the United Nations General Assembly-endorsed New Urban Agenda, and the report provides recommendations on the policies, investments and actions needed to address the challenges of agrifood systems transformation under urbanization and to enable opportunities for ensuring access to affordable healthy diets for everyone.
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    Book (series)
    Compulsory acquisition of land and compensation 2008
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    Compulsory acquisition is the power of government to acquire private rights in land without the willing consent of the owner or occupant in order to benefit society and is often necessary for social and economic development and the protection of the natural environment. The exercise of these powers is frequently contentious and problematic. The guide explains what compulsory acquisition and compensation are, and what constitutes good practice in this area, examining the consequences of poor legi slation, procedures and implementation. It is likely to be of most use in countries that are seeking to understand good practice in this area and to improve their own legislation, procedures and implementation in compulsory purchase and compensation in the interests of society as a whole.
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    Book (stand-alone)
    Free Prior and Informed Consent: An indigenous peoples’ right and a good practice for local communities 2016

    This Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) Manual is designed as a tool for project practitioners of a broad range of projects and programmes of any development organization, by providing information about the right to FPIC and how it can be implemented in six steps.

    In an FPIC process, the “how”, “when” and “with and by whom”, are as important as “what” is being proposed. For an FPIC process to be effective and result in consent or lack of it, the way in which the process is conducted is paramount. The time allocated for the discussions among the indigenous peoples, the cultural appropriateness of the way the information is conveyed, and the involvement of the whole community, including key groups like women, the elderly and the youth in the process, are all essential. A thorough and well carried FPIC process helps guarantee everyone’s right to self-determination, allowing them to participate in decisions that affect their lives.

    This FPIC Manual will ena ble field practitioners to incorporate FPIC into project and programmes’ design and implementation, ensuring that indigenous peoples’ rights are duly respected. FPIC can be considered the “gold standard” because it allows for the highest form of participation of local stakeholders in development projects.

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    Book (series)
    The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture 2022
    Towards Blue Transformation
    2022
    The 2022 edition of The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture coincides with the launch of the Decade of Action to deliver the Global Goals, the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development and the United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration. It presents how these and other equally important United Nations events, such as the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture (IYAFA 2022), are being integrated and supported through Blue Transformation, a priority area of FAO’s new Strategic Framework 2022–2031 designed to accelerate achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in food and agriculture. The concept of Blue Transformation emerged from the Thirty-fourth Session of the FAO Committee on Fisheries in February 2021, and in particular the Declaration for Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture, which was negotiated and endorsed by all FAO Members. The Declaration calls for support for “an evolving and positive vision for fisheries and aquaculture in the twenty first century, where the sector is fully recognized for its contribution to fighting poverty, hunger and malnutrition.” In this context, Part 1 of this edition of The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture reviews the world status of fisheries and aquaculture, while Parts 2 and 3 are devoted to Blue Transformation and its pillars on intensifying and expanding aquaculture, improving fisheries management and innovating fisheries and aquaculture value chains. Blue Transformation emphasizes the need for forward-looking and bold actions to be launched or accelerated in coming years to achieve the objectives of the Declaration and in support of the 2030 Agenda. Part 4 covers current and high-impact emerging issues – COVID-19, climate change and gender equality – that require thorough consideration for transformative steps and preparedness to secure sustainable, efficient and equitable fisheries and aquaculture.

Recently added

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    Book (stand-alone)
    Digital FAO – The Year of Excellence 2024
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    Throughout the Year of Excellence 2023, Digital FAO has redoubled its efforts to upscale the Organization's digital capabilities, capacity -building and advisory services needed to enable and accelerate targeted interventions with actionable and concrete results worldwide, leaving no one behind.Digital technology is at the nexus of multiple Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including the eradication of poverty, climate action and environmental protection, ending hunger, and improving nutrition and access to healthy diets.In this light, this publication highlights FAO strong digital cooperation, as well as the significant developments in the technology domain, with further acceleration of digital transformation globally, including a strong focus on agrifood systems. It aims to provide further insights into the strategic direction, achievements and efforts of Digital FAO, with the overall objective to achieve FAO four betters and the Sustainable Development Goals at their largest.
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    Book (stand-alone)
    Libro di attività junior – Storia di una maglietta 2024
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    Questa edizione del Libro di Attività è stata pensata per bambini e bambine dai 5 anni in su, per incoraggiare le giovani menti di domani ad agire e creare un futuro migliore. In “Storia di una maglietta”, Matteo Ward, eroe dell’alimentazione e attivista della moda sostenibile, accompagna i giovani in un viaggio nel mondo dell’abbigliamento e dei tessuti, molti dei quali provengono da campi e pascoli. Il libro introduce il tema della moda sostenibile e invita i più piccoli a riflettere sull’importanza di prendersi cura delle risorse naturali necessarie per produrre gli indumenti che indossiamo.
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    Booklet
    National Agricultural Association of Banana Producers of Belén de Umbria
    Systematization of experiences
    2024
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    Asociación Nacional Agropecuaria de Productores de Plátano de Belén de Umbría (National Agricultural Association of Banana Producers of Belén de Umbria) – an association of small banana producers of the Dominico Hartón variety – has been operating in the Municipality of Belén de Umbría since 1999. The association has positioned itself as one of the main suppliers of raw material for the Pepsico agro-industrial company. The particularity worth mentioning is that it became established with a small group of seven villagers, grew to reach over 100 members in some periods, and has diversified its provision of products through the transformation of raw material. While in the year 2000, when the organization became legally established, its sevenpartners produced approximately 240 000 kilograms of bananas annually, which were sold fresh for about USD 30 000, since 2010 the association has a commercial agreement signed with Pepsico, to which it sells peeled bananas. This presently (2021) translates into annual sales of USD 650 394. One of the keys to the organization’s development has been to have established this commercial relationship, as it enabled constant demand and a relatively stable and known price.
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    Policy brief
    Reducir la pérdida de alimentos y valorizar frutas y residuos para impulsar la sostenibilidad y rentabilidad de la industria del aguacate 2024
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    El aguacate, como otras frutas tropicales, es susceptible a la pérdida y a ser desperdiciado debido a su contenido de humedad y a su naturaleza perecedera. Factores como el cambio climático, la infraestructura inadecuada y los problemas de manipulación en las etapas de cosecha, empaquetamiento y transporte aumentan el riesgo de pérdida de alimentos, lo que afecta el suministro fruta y su calidad. Adoptar estrategias para reducir las pérdidas y maximizar el uso de los frutos dañados y residuos no comercializables es beneficioso para las empresas y los objetivos de sostenibilidad global, incluida la seguridad alimentaria y la acción climática. Al reducir las pérdidas y el desperdicio, los productores y las empresas también pueden aumentar su competitividad y resiliencia, y mejorar su reputación en el mercado y con los consumidores. Este informe técnico presenta ideas prácticas sobre cómo los actores que operan en las cadenas de valor del aguacate pueden minimizar la pérdida de alimentos y valorizar los residuos.
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    Book (series)
    Terminal evaluation of the project “Securing the Future of Global Agriculture in the face of climate change by conserving the Genetic Diversity of the Traditional Agroecosystems of Mexico”
    Project code: GCP/MEX/305/GFF - GEF ID: 9380
    2024
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    The project "Securing the Future of World Agriculture in the face of climate change by conserving the Genetic Diversity of the Traditional Ecosystems of Mexico”, executed between 2018 and 2023 by the National Commission for Knowledge and Use of Biodiversity (CONABIO), aimed to ensure the conservation and sustainable use of agrobiodiversity in Mexico. The evaluation results highlight both the project`s high relevance to national and global priorities by its contribution to the supply of nutritious food, genetic diversity conservation, and resilient production systems in the face of climate change; and its coherence, which fostered internal and external collaborative relationships. Furthermore, achievements in knowledge availability, capacity development, inter-institutional coordination, and communication strategies are also noteworthy. Recommendations underscore joint efforts to ensure sustainability, suggesting the establishment of a joint working group between CONABIO and FAO to develop a strategy for institutionalizing project results.