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.

With thousands of years of winemaking heritage deeply rooted in their soil, Armenia and Georgia stand among the world’s oldest wine-producing countries. Their ancient traditions, combined with modern viticulture techniques, create a unique fusion of history and innovation that continues to shape both the regional and global wine landscapes. Recognizing the vital importance of preserving this cultural and agricultural legacy, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has been actively supporting sustainable viticulture efforts in both countries. Building on this commitment, FAO Armenia and FAO Georgia joined forces to organize a study tour for the key players in advancing Armenia’s wine sector.

Recognizing the important role of agrobiodiversity in rural diets, livelihoods and traditional knowledge, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), with support from the Global Environment Facility (GEF), is working with local communities to promote biodiversity and the sustainable use of local plants through training and awareness raising of its value for food, health and income.

Rural women in Belarus play essential roles across agrifood systems, from farming and food production to entrepreneurship and market sales. However, as in many parts of the world, their contributions often remain largely invisible and under-recognized, and gender disparities in agriculture and rural development persist. This issue is highlighted in the National gender profile of agriculture and rural livelihoods: Republic of Belarus, developed with the support of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). The report draws on statistical data and qualitative insights gathered from interviews with rural women and other local stakeholders.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is driving the digital transformation of agriculture through various projects and promoting innovation in the sector. As part of this effort, FAO is supporting the AgriTech Summit, held from 23 to 25 July 2025 during the Sevan Startup Summit. This specialized forum provides a dynamic space for dialogue, knowledge sharing, and partnerships. The 2025 Summit brought together farmers, tech startups, government officials, researchers, and development partners to explore how emerging technologies—especially AI and digital tools—can support the development of sustainable, efficient, and climate-resilient agrifood systems in Armenia.

Georgia is home to remarkable wheat diversity. Of the fourteen wheat species grown in the country, five originated from Georgia itself. Yet, without action, this living heritage risks being lost forever. Georgian farmers are working to conserve the country’s native wheat varieties and agricultural heritage to improve food diversity.

Concluding at the end of July 2025, the project has provided technical support, tailored policy recommendations and actionable strategies to advance land banking, land consolidation and land market development. 

Commercial aquaculture in Turkmenistan dates to the early 1970s, with the introduction of pond-based fish farming. However, production levels declined sharply after the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. Reviving freshwater aquaculture – particularly through smallholder farming approaches – has the potential to diversify farmers’ livelihoods, contribute to resilient agrifood systems and help mitigate the impacts of climate change. Accelerating this process in Turkmenistan, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), within the framework of a Technical Cooperation Programme project, concluded two workshops on 16 and 17 July on aquatic animal health management and aquaculture systems design and operation.

A new two-year joint programme focused on transforming food systems for better nutrition, launched today, is expected to directly benefit more than 17 000 people and indirectly reach more than 2 million people across Tajikistan. The programme is financed by the Joint SDG Fund, a United Nations mechanism designed to accelerate progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The main implementing United Nations agencies are the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, the United Nations Children’s Fund, the World Health Organization and the World Food Programme.

The Government of the Republic of Tajikistan has officially adopted its Programme for the digitalization of the agricultural sector for 2025–2030, marking a major milestone in the country’s digital transformation efforts. The programme, developed with technical support from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) under the “Provision of Technical Assistance on E-agriculture to the Ministry of Agriculture” technical cooperation project, outlines a strategic roadmap to harness digital technologies for more efficient, inclusive, and climate-resilient agriculture. 

Agriculture is inherently exposed to a wide range of risks, from natural disasters to market volatility. As sustainability becomes an increasingly pressing concern, agricultural surveys play a vital role in revealing trends in farming practices, land use, and resource management. Azerbaijan is pr...

An integrated mountain agropastoral system in Tajikistan has become the first Central Asian addition to the Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems, with a pine tree agroforestry system and traditional bamboo and fishery system in the Republic of Korea and an agrosilvopastoral system in Portugal also recognized. The systems were formally designated under FAO’s flagship programme during a meeting of the GIAHS Scientific Advisory Group held from 7 to 8 of July 2025. 

Advancing gender equality and ensuring equitable access to land and property for rural women is essential for sustainable rural development. To promote increased equity in land tenure, a series of legal advisory workshops were recently held in Pristina, Prizren, and Istog, bringing together over 130 licensed notaries and municipal cadastral officials from across Kosovo¹. Three workshops held on 24 and 31 May and 14 June 2025 were organized under a project on promoting rural women’s empowerment, that is jointly implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and UN Women, with financial support from the Austrian Development Agency (ADA), and in close collaboration with the Notary Chamber of Kosovo.

Agriculture remains a vital sector for employment in Central Asia. As the region faces significant challenges, including climate change, land degradation, and limited farmer access to innovative technologies, the adoption of advanced and adaptive farming practices becomes increasingly crucial. On 10 June, a three-day Regional Training on Climate Smart Agriculture began in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. Organized by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), as part of its project Small Farmers as Agricultural Innovators for Sustainable Agrifood Ecosystems. 

In response to the recent and sudden surge of transboundary animal diseases (TADs) affecting ruminants across Europe this year, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) organized a two-day regional workshop concluding today in Budapest, Hungary. The event brought together veterinary authorities and animal health experts from over a dozen countries to exchange experiences and strengthen regional coordination against foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), peste des petits ruminants (PPR), and sheep and goat pox (SGP).

Women across Central Asia and the Caucasus play a critical role in fisheries and aquaculture value chains. Typically, they are involved in pre- and post-harvest activities, such as net mending, fish processing, marketing and trade, while men take on fishing roles, particularly in coastal and deep-sea waters. To address these challenges, the Central Asian and Caucasus Regional Fisheries and Aquaculture Commission (CACFish), in collaboration with the Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), and FAO’s Representation in Tajikistan, convened a national workshop in Dushanbe to bring together policymakers and practitioners in support of gender-transformative approaches in the fisheries and aquaculture sectors.

There is an urgent need to adopt advanced technologies to tackle the challenges posed by climate shocks and water scarcity in agriculture and increasing pressure on smallholder farmers and rural economies. This was the message emphasized by Viorel Gutu, Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative for Europe and Central Asia of the Food and Agriculture Organizations of the United Nations (FAO) during a crucial session of the Bloomberg HT Sustainable Agriculture and Food Summit, held on 12 June in Istanbul, Türkiye. The session, ‘The present and future of agriculture,’ dissected the complex objective of building a sustainable future for the agricultural sector in Europe and Central Asia, with particular attention on water security, innovation and digital transformation, as well as smallholder farmers engagement.