FAO.org

FAO and P.N. Agricultural Science Foundation of Bangalore, India today opened a regional workshop to strengthen urban and peri-urban agriculture (UPA) in Asia. Some 50 participants from more than 11 countries, including national and provincial government officials, food and agriculture experts, university professors and representatives from the private sector gathered for the 3-day meeting Bangkok’s Plaza Athenee Hotel. By 2050 two-thirds of the world’s population is expected to live in urban...

Asian farmers and consumers of Asian agricultural and food products in countries around the world stand to benefit from discussions at be held at the FAO Regional Food Safety Consultation Workshop that opened today. More than 45 people working in the field food safety from 13 Asian countries are attending the Consultation representing different governmental and non-governmental groups. Food safety is a multidisciplinary subject and has to be addressed while...

The risk reduction of pesticides and reduction of highly toxic pesticides for promotion of food safety and sustainable development of crop production through implementation of code of conduct on distribution and use of pesticides and relevant international treaties is one of FAO main working area. The improvement of regulatory pesticide management is of key context of the code of conduct. The workshop on enhancement of regional collaboration in regulatory management...

In recognition of the crucial role played by soils in promoting food security and particularly in light of the enormous challenges that soils face when it comes to sustainable management and protection, FAO will observe World Soil Day on 5 December 2012 for the first time, which is also the 85th birthday of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand. Earlier this year, His Majesty the King was honoured as...

Some 70 participants took part in a regional consultation on groundwater governance in East and South Asia and the Pacific, opening today in Shijiazhuang, China. From 3 to 5 December, high-level experts and key stakeholders from 17 countries in the region will be gathering at the Chinese Institute of Hydrogeology and Environmental Geology (IHEG) to discuss how to effectively manage groundwater as well as how to raise awareness of its...

The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) are working with Asian countries to develop a strategy to make better use of a global food safety network. Increased participation in the International Food Safety Authorities Network (INFOSAN) would help countries to better manage food safety emergencies, reducing the health risk to consumers and increasing the availability of safe food. "With increasing levels of international...

Global rice production for 2012 is forecast to outpace consumption in 2012/13, resulting in an upward revision of 5 million tonnes in 2013 closing inventories, according to an previous forecast by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in its Rice Market Monitor (RMM) issued Monday. “Compared to last year, world rice carryover stocks are expected to rise by 7 percent, or 10 million tones, to a new high of almost...

  APPPC symposium on pest surveillance29 Oct.-2 Nov. 2012, Anyang, Republic of Korea The symposium on pest surveillance, which was organized by APPPC/RAP from 29 October to 2 November 2012 in Anyang, Rep. of Korea, was participated by about 50 experts from 28 countries (19 members of APPPC together with 3 non members of APPPC from the region, 5 delegates from Africa, Caribbean and Latin America, Europe and Central Asia, Near East...

Thailand is celebrating National World Food Day (WFD) with a festive event at Lan Khon Mueng, Bangkok Metropolitan Administration on Dinsor Road in Bangkok running from 14 – 16 November. The event features 96 agricultural cooperative booths selling Thai produce and products like rice, bananas, pineapples, fish and fruit crisps and locally produced skincare and hand woven silk and cotton products. This year’s WFD theme is Agricultural Cooperatives: Key to...

Timor-Leste has completed its first ever national census of fishing vessels, an achievement which will greatly facilitate the sustainable management of the nation’s fisheries resources. The census was carried out by the Department of General Fishing Inspection of the National Directorate of Fisheries and Aquaculture (NDFA) with support of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). Between October 2011 and October 2012, a Mobile Licensing Service visited 192 fishing...