Europe and Central Asia Regional Overview of Food Security and Nutrition 2024
Managing water sustainably for improved food security and nutrition
This report provides the latest updates on hunger, food insecurity and malnutrition in Europe and Central Asia, including the cost and affordability of healthy diets. It also explores the central theme of water security, highlighting its critical connections to agriculture, food security and nutrition. While the region has made progress in reducing hunger and food insecurity (SDG Target 2.1), challenges remain in eliminating all forms of malnutrition (SDG Target 2.2).
Collections
- Gender equality and women’s empowerment
- Digital agriculture
- Disaster risk reduction and management publication series
- Empowering smallholders and family farms series
- Transboundary animal diseases - Leaflets
Multimedia resources
Publications
Rust never sleeps – Protecting wheat, livelihoods and food security through regional action in Central Asia and the Caucasus
05/2026
The publication outlines how the project supports coordinated surveillance, early warning systems, resistance breeding and rapid response mechanisms across participating countries. It highlights key achievements, including the establishment of a regional network, capacity development for specialists and farmers, strengthened laboratory and field capabilities, and the development of national strategies and contingency plans.
Antimicrobial use practices in the livestock sector in Kazakhstan
03/2026
The Understanding Antimicrobial Use in Food and Agriculture series is a compilation of country reports, each describing antimicrobial use (AMU) practices and awareness of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in the livestock sector. The data presented in these reports was obtained through knowledge-attitudes-practices (KAP) field surveys conducted with farmers of priority livestock production systems, field veterinarians, veterinary pharmacy personnel, and feed mill personnel.
FAO Türkiye Newsletter, November 2025 – Issue #22
11/2025
The 22nd edition of the FAO-Türkiye Newsletter showcases key milestones in building resilient agrifood systems and safeguarding biodiversity. Featured stories include the Hepyerinden initiative connecting rural women’s cooperatives to national e-commerce markets, the Seeds of Resilience project supporting recovery in earthquake-affected regions, and regional efforts to restore forests and protect flamingos.
National Gender Profile of Agriculture and Rural Livelihoods – Turkey
09/2016
The purpose of the National Gender Profile of Agricultural and Rural Livelihoods - Turkey is to contribute to the production of knowledge for better informed, targeted and gender sensitive actions in agriculture and rural development. This national profile points out some of the major gender inequalities that need to be considered by policy makers and project managers according to available data, and identifies further research needs. 2016, 72 p.
Establishment of groups as a crucial element for geographical indication success
05/2026
Geographical indications (GIs) can support rural development, value creation and cultural heritage preservation, but their success often depends on effective collective action among producers. This paper highlights producer groups as a key factor in ensuring sustainable GI systems, focusing on their role in quality management, market access and fair value distribution, particularly in Eastern Europe and Central Asia.
University curriculum assessment on the learning outcomes related to antimicrobial resistance at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at the Technical University of Moldova
04/2026
The Strengthening Veterinary Education on Antimicrobial Resistance series compiles assessment reports of veterinary education institutions, detailing strengths and areas for improvement in the institutions’ curricula, and recommendations to enhance their education on antimicrobial resistance (AMR) learning outcomes.This issue of the series summarizes the findings of the assessment conducted at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at the Technical University of Moldova, in Chișinău, Moldova.
FAO in Europe and Central Asia 2025
04/2026
This publication provides a concise overview of FAO’s key achievements and partnerships in Europe and Central Asia, despite ongoing challenges such as the war in Ukraine, climate change and political instability. The first section presents programme work through the lens of the Four Betters. The second section briefly summarizes major completed and ongoing projects across the region, showcasing key initiatives.
Transforming agricultural cooperatives in Azerbaijan for agrifood system resilience
04/2026
This policy brief presents a strategic vision for transforming agricultural cooperatives in Azerbaijan into engines of inclusive growth and agrifood system resilience. As the 2025 UN International Year of Cooperatives concludes, Azerbaijan is well‑positioned to elevate the role of cooperatives in economic diversification, social inclusion, and national food security.
Seeds of Heritage: The Journey of GIAHS in Europe and Central Asia
10/2025
This booklet presents the progress and future steps of the FAO programme Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS) in the Europe and Central Asia region. It aims to provide a clear overview of the regional current state of identification and dynamic conservation of these agricultural heritage systems,highlighting their role as "living laboratories” of resilience, biodiversity, cultural heritage and sustainable agricultural practices to global challenges.
From vulnerability to resilience: Guidelines for assessing climate change impacts in agricultural heritage systems
03/2026
This publication presents an eight-step guide to assess vulnerability and resilience to climate change impacts in Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems and in agricultural systems with similar characteristics. With a particular focus on Europe and Central Asia, the guide supports practitioners in designing and implementing context-specific climate vulnerability assessments that strengthen adaptive capacity and promote dynamic conservation.
Cultivation practices and gross margins of crops in Europe and Central Asia
03/2026
The "Regional technical manual on cultivation practices and gross margins of crops in Europe and Central Asia” provides practical guidance and information to support relevant ministries, extension services, family farmers and other key stakeholders in improving the productivity and production of economically important crops. It offers detailed insights into cultivation practices for crops such as apples, grapes, maize, potatoes, soybeans, sunflowers, tomatoes and wheat.
Pocket guide to monitor important bark and wood-boring forest insects in Europe and Central Asia
03/2026
This guide addresses the growing problem of the damage caused by bark and wood-boring insects in the forests of Europe and Central Asia, highlighting the expanding threats from both native and non-native species. The guide aims to equip forest practitioners and researchers with the tools and knowledge needed to detect and monitor these harmful insects early, supporting more effective management and protection of forest resources.
Overview of market information systems for agriculture and food security in seven Europe and Central Asia countries
02/2026
Sustainable development and food security are major challenges, exacerbated by socioeconomic shocks and climate change. Incorporating science-based climate and market information into agricultural planning and policies can help manage these risks effectively. This report includes a literature review and outlines best practices for market information systems (MIS) in agriculture and food security. It provides practical pointers for establishing or improving MIS.
Future pathways for aquaculture and fisheries development in Azerbaijan
03/2026
This technical note presents a consolidated version of value chain analysis and the strategic roadmap for Azerbaijan’s fisheries and aquaculture sectors, designed to support the 2024 Presidential Decree transitioning the sectoral mandate to the Ministry of Agriculture.
Ukraine: Food security and agricultural livelihoods assessment, July 2025
03/2026
This report analyses the state of food security and agricultural resilience in Ukraine’s war-affected regions in 2025. It examines how ongoing hostilities, economic disruption and damage to agricultural assets are affecting household livelihoods, production capacity and access to food.
University curriculum assessment on the learning outcomes related to antimicrobial resistance at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at the Tashkent Branch of Samarkand State University of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Husbandry and Biotechnology
03/2026
The Strengthening Veterinary Education on Antimicrobial Resistance series compiles assessment reports of veterinary education institutions, detailing strengths and areas for improvement in the institutions’ curricula, and recommendations to enhance their education on antimicrobial resistance (AMR) learning outcomes (LOs). Data was gathered through assessments performed using the Ohio State University's "Evaluation Tool to Assess AMR Learning Outcomes".
University curriculum assessment on the learning outcomes related to antimicrobial resistance at the Faculty of Veterinary Prevention and Treatment at the Samarkand State University of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Husbandry and Biotechnology
03/2026
The Strengthening Veterinary Education on Antimicrobial Resistance series compiles assessment reports of veterinary education institutions, detailing strengths and areas for improvement in the institutions’ curricula, and recommendations to enhance their education on antimicrobial resistance (AMR) learning outcomes (LOs). Data was gathered through assessments performed using the Ohio State University's "Evaluation Tool to Assess AMR Learning Outcomes".
Development of agrifood value chains in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, Azerbaijan
02/2026
The Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic (NAR) of Azerbaijan could benefit from gradually moving from a mainly self-sufficient agrifood system towards a more diversified, market-oriented approach. Challenges such as geographic isolation, limited market access, ageing infrastructure, small-scale farming, and modest sanitary and phytosanitary measures (SPS) and certification capacity can make it harder for farmers to compete and raise rural incomes.
Building resilient agriculture in Serbia
02/2026
The purpose of this report is to showcase the results of the “Strengthening Disaster Resilience in Agriculture” project, funded by the European Union and implemented by the FAO in cooperation with the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management.
The war in Ukraine and its multidimensional impact on food security in Europe and Central Asia
02/2026
Although localized hunger persists in conflict-affected areas of Ukraine, the wider Europe and Central Asia (ECA) region is now more severely challenged by rising overweight, obesity and other forms of malnutrition. The war in Ukraine has intensified food security risks by disrupting production, trade and markets, while compounding pre-existing vulnerabilities and climate-related pressures.