News and Press Releases
Thousands of Afghan rice and potato farmers to benefit from improved irrigation and disease prevention systems
19.12.2015 Kabul, Afghanistan
The Government of Japan, through the technical assistance of the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), and in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation & Livestock (MAIL) of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, has announced a new project to boost agricultural livelihood production and resilience through improved irrigation management in Afghanistan.
The project will directly benefit some nine thousand farming families through increased rice production in the targeted provinces of...
Sustainable farming systems in Bangladesh and Japan receive global recognition
Four new sites designated Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems for innovation, sustainability and adaptability
15.12.2015 Rome, Italy
Four traditional farming systems in Bangladesh and Japan have been designated today by FAO as "Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems."
They include Bangladesh's floating gardens, a unique hydroponics production system constructed with natural grasses and plants, which have been developed in flood areas; and a trio of sites in Japan: the sustainable river fisheries utilizing Sato-kawa system in Gifu, the Minabe-Tanabe Ume approach to growing apricots on nutrient-poor slopes in Wakayama; and...
Asia-Pacific institutes should prioritize agricultural research to attract more government and donor interest and meet future challenges to food security
08.12.2015 Bangkok
Research institutes in Asia and the Pacific, the world’s most vibrant agricultural region, need to better prioritize their agricultural research programmes in order to attract badly needed resources from donors and widen the scope of potential partners, a senior UN official said today.
“There is plenty of evidence that agricultural research pays high dividends and thus raises agricultural productivity, while improving crops that are more nutritious and more resilient. In other...
Palau latest country to join global pact to curb illicit fishing
First Pacific nation become party to international agreement on port state measures
01.12.2015 Paris
The island nation of Palau is the latest in a growing number of countries - and the first Pacific island state - to ratify an international agreement to combat illegal fishing, which is estimated to deprive the global economy of up to $23 billion each year and endanger biodiversity and food security in many countries.
"I welcome Palau's ratification of the Port State Measure Agreement as the first-ever country in the...
African Union Commission, Thai Ministry and National Geographic Society receive awards from FAO
Prizes honour outstanding contributions to global food security, nutrition and sustainable agriculture
30.11.2015 Rome, Italy
The African Union Commission (AUC), Thailand's Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, the National Geographic Society and the non-profit World Rural Forum have received awards today for their outstanding efforts in support of Zero Hunger, to improve nutrition and raise awareness of the challenges facing the world's food systems.
The awards ceremony, which took place at FAO headquarters at the start of the Organization's governing Council, is the last in a series...
Protecting Fiji’s Forests and Environment through Regulatory and Enforcement Training
30.11.2015 Suva, Fiji
The Pacific Island States have invested much effort and funding in policies and legislation to create awareness for its citizens to conserve and protect the forests and eco-system services for the environment and for society as a whole.
Legislation, however, has to be enforced in order to be effective. Well managed law enforcement in the form of patrols, inspections, investigation and apprehension of offenders ultimately leads to the prevention of criminal...
Contract farming: Bringing farmers and buyers together in Fiji
30.11.2015 Nadi, Fiji
The Fiji Crop and Livestock Council (FCLC) and the FAO are joining forces to promote contract farming as a means to coordinate links between farmers and agribusiness firms.
In simple terms, contract farming is an agreement which establishes conditions between a buyer and farmers for the production and marketing of agricultural produce.
Under contract farming, producers typically commit to supply agricultural produce which satisfies the specified conditions of a contract. These specifications...
Fiji Land Degradation Project Launched
30.11.2015 Nadi, Fiji
A new project, to combat land degradation and improve land management practices in Fiji was officially launched in November.
The 2 million Euro Action Against Desertification (AAD) Project is supported by the European Union in the context of the ACP/EU programme that supports the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States.
FAO will implement the four year project.
The ADD project was launched by Acting Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Forestry and...
Processing facility bringing growth to Niue
30.11.2015 Niue
The Niue Agro-processing facility was opened in April 2014 and continues to ensure that agriculture products are processed to higher valued, more competitive quality standards for various local and export markets outlets.
The project was supported under the FAO Technical Cooperation Programme (TCP) which funded the construction of a small food product development and processing unit and provided processing equipment.
After the project officially ended, the Niue Agro-processing facility remained under the management...
Asia-Pacific shifting towards sustainable, agro-ecological food production
25.11.2015 Bangkok, Thailand
In order to respond effectively to issues of hunger and malnutrition in Asia and the Pacific, a new agricultural approach is needed that will be resilient enough to withstand challenges of population growth, increased pressure on natural resources including soils and water, the loss of biodiversity and the uncertainties associated with climate change, a senior official with the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) said today.
Asian countries typically use far...