Historically, land management in Uzbekistan largely has been directed by the state. In recent years, however, the government has taken important steps towards market-oriented agriculture by strengthening land tenure security, developing a market for land use rights and improving the system of land relations management. These steps include the development of a national strategy to improve land management and the ongoing revision of the Land Code. In response to an official request from Uzbekistan, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is implementing a project to support land reforms in the country. 

Türkiye produces most of the world’s pine honey, notably along the Marmara, Aegean and Mediterranean coasts. And now that pine honey – Türk Çam Balı – is nationally protected thanks to the geographic indication (GI) recently awarded by TURKPATENT, the Turkish Patent and Trademark office. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) worked closely with Türkiye’s main pine honey industry players – beekeepers, processors, exporters, government officials, economists and scientists – to develop and register the GI. 

In Düzce, Türkiye, 32 percent of youth are unemployed. Many opt to move to the city in search of work. Beekeeping offers young people an alternative path and income opportunities in rural areas.

Across Europe and Central Asia, a new generation of farmers are using their innovation and vision to reshape agriculture. Armed with bold ideas, boundless energy and a deep commitment to sustainability, young people not only are breathing new life into rural areas, but they also are driving the transition towards resilient, inclusive and future-ready agrifood systems.

Today, the European Commission on Agriculture opens in Budapest, Hungary, as a key biennial discussion forum for the countries of Europe and Central Asia on topics related to food and agriculture. The Forty-fourth Session centres on the challenge of producing more with less, with key topics covering inclusive food and agriculture policies, digital solutions, and resilient investments, as well as the region’s response to multiple crisis.

More than 150 animal health experts, policymakers and international partners gathered in Belgrade from 22 to 25 September 2025 for the first Global Framework for the Progressive Control of Transboundary Animal Diseases (GF-TADs) Regional Conference of Standing Groups of Experts on priority transboundary animal diseases in the European region. The event, supported by the European Union, marked the twentieth anniversary of GF-TADs Europe, a platform led by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) to guide coordinated action against animal health threats.

Every year, millions of tonnes of edible food are lost or wasted worldwide, while millions of people lack access to food. On this year’s International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste, celebrated on 29 September, the story of Nana Olkishvili – founder of Enkenia, the first officially recognized food bank in Georgia – shows how individual determination can drive meaningful change.

Representatives of governments, farmers’ organizations, civil society and academia from the two regions gathered on 22 and 23 September in Rome for the Interregional Dialogue on Family Farming for Europe and Central Asia to exchange good practices and discuss priority directions for supporting family farmers.

A group of tourists arrive at the Pešić household, looking around curiously and asking about lunch options near Tomaševo, a small village of about 300 inhabitants in northeastern Montenegro. A region known for its mountainous terrain and scenic landscapes, agritourism is just starting to take shape, mostly from other Europeans looking to experience the charm and peace of rural life.

Climate shocks, biodiversity loss and rising food insecurity continue to challenge communities worldwide. Innovative and sustainable solutions are needed more than ever to turn the tide on these negative trends. It was to this end that the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) convened the first Global Forum on Green Agriculture and the Second Regional Science and Innovation Week for Europe and Central Asia from 9 to 11 September 2025 in Budapest, Hungary.

After three years as a news correspondent, Nino Tadiashvili decided to transition to agricultural production – a long-standing family tradition in the Gavazi village of the Kakheti region in Georgia. Through the European Neighbourhood Programme for Agriculture and Rural Development (ENPARD), funded by the European Union (EU) and Sweden, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has set up farmer field schools to support Nino and her community in acquiring knowledge on pest management, climate-smart agricultural methods and food safety. 

Global environmental crises, including climate change, biodiversity loss and ecosystem degradation, are threatening livelihoods and agrifood systems. With resources limited and the need for action more urgent than ever, a fundamental and sustainable transformation of our agrifood systems is required to build a resilient and sustainable future. To address this challenge head-on, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) brought together government officials and experts for a pivotal Regional Planning Meeting on Climate and Environmental Finance.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), in cooperation with the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management of Montenegro, recently held a two-day capacity-building training to support the country’s preparation for the implementation of the LEADER approach, a key component of the European Union’s rural development framework.

On 16 October 2025, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) celebrates 80 years of commitment to ending hunger, transforming agrifood systems and promoting inclusive and sustainable rural development. In Kyrgyzstan, this milestone also serves as a tribute to decades of joint effort to achieve better production, better nutrition, a better environment and a better life, leaving no one behind.

In the heart of Tajikistan, a woman has defied the odds, shattered social norms and transformed the agricultural landscape of communities. Her story is marked by resilience, determination and a deep love of the land, and it serves as a powerful reminder that leadership and success are not tied to being a woman or a man. From humble beginnings, Gulbahor Rajabova has become a pioneer in the agricultural sector, empowering her community and inspiring future generations.

From 18 to 20 August 2025, Yerevan hosted the Progressive Control Pathway for FMD national workshop, which gathered government officials, veterinary experts, farmers’ organizations and international partners to advance the national FMD control strategy in Armenia. The workshop, organized with FAO support under the EuFMD “Move FAST – GET Prepared” strategy, marked an important milestone for Armenia as the newest EuFMD member.

A 2025 report by FAO reveals how countries across Eastern Europe and Central Asia are turning to bioeconomy strategies to transform their agrifood systems, enhance sustainability and revitalize rural economies. The publication, Promoting bioeconomy through agriculture practice in Eastern Europe and Central Asia, offers a comprehensive regional analysis, pinpointing key agricultural practices that align with bioeconomy principles. It delves into production trends and regional agricultural systems and examines how bioeconomy strategies can be integrated across diverse subregions from the Western Balkans to Central Asia.

A ten-day Farmer Field Schools session starts today in Albania, equipping smallholders with practical and state-of-the-art knowledge on greenhouse production. The training is part of a series launched on 1 July by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) to support sustainable agriculture and empower smallholder farmers through the Business, Partnerships & Solutions for Sustainable Development Goals (B4SDG II) project, implemented with support from the Government of Sweden.

In celebration of International Youth Day, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in Armenia joined hands with the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports of the Republic to highlight the power of young people to shape the future of agrifood systems. The event, held on 12 August 2025, brought young people from across the country to Aparan, in the Aragatsotn region, to inspire action, ignite ideas and foster leadership rooted in local solutions.

Across the rugged highlands and sunlit lowlands of Albania, a quiet but powerful transformation is underway. Farmers, especially women and young people, are beginning to adopt digital tools and approaches, gradually reshaping traditional roles and practices. From precision agriculture in Korça to peer learning in Manëz, rural communities are opening up to innovation and exchanging knowledge in ways that previously were out of reach. Driving this transformation is the Digital Agriculture for Rural Transformation (DART) project, a joint initiative of the Government of Albania and the United Nations through contributions from the European Union, Spain and Sweden.