Agriculture is the backbone of Rwanda’s economy, generating more than 30 percent of gross domestic product (GDP), providing over 80 percent of employment (particularly for women), and supplying about 70 percent of export revenues and 90 percent of the national food needs. Despite its importance, the sector remains largely subsistence-based...

This study evaluated the effectiveness of portable, low-cost techniques, specifically colorimetry and visible spectroscopy for discriminating dark, firm, and dry (DFD) beef carcasses during processing in a certified slaughterhouse. Portable, low-cost devices were used for real-time assessments. A total of 523 chilled carcasses were analyzed, of which 449 were classified...

The International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists (IYRP) 2026 NENA Regional Conference will bring together regional partners, government representatives, technical experts, researchers, and pastoralist organizations to strengthen collaboration and advance sustainable rangeland management across the Near East and North Africa (NENA).

The Arab Forum for Rural Advisory Services (AFRAS) supports the strengthening of inclusive and effective rural advisory services across the Arab region through knowledge sharing, partnerships and innovation.In Libya, agriculture faces major constraints due to limited arable land, water scarcity and climatic variability. Despite its modest economic contribution, the sector...

The Ca Mau province in southern Viet Nam is one of the most drought prone areas of the Mekong Delta. From 2023/2024, an El Niño-induced drought began intensifying in March. When the threshold was met in March 2024, FAO, in close coordination with the Viet Nam Disaster and Dyke Authority...

Cyclone Ditwah made landfall over the central-eastern coast of Sri Lanka on 27 November 2025.It then continued northward and inland. On 28 November 2025, its centre was located over northern Sri Lanka. Cyclone Ditwah triggered one of Sri Lanka’s most severe humanitarian crises in the last two decades and affected...

Las mujeres rurales desempeñan un papel esencial en la producción agrícola y en la seguridad alimentaria, pero enfrentan brechas persistentes que limitan su acceso a recursos, derechos y oportunidades. En este manual se ofrece una metodología práctica para fortalecer sus capacidades, liderazgo y resiliencia frente al cambio climático mediante enfoques...

This report generates, presents and assesses innovative data, and extracts insights regarding land tenure systems and governance frameworks, with special focus on women's land rights and the importance of customary tenure for mitigating climate change and ensuring the protection of biodiversity. Bringing together tenure- and sex- disaggregated data and analyses...

In celebration of World Soil Day (WSD) 2025, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), its Global Soil Partnership (GSP), the European Union through its EU Mission, “A Soil Deal for Europe” and the International Union of Soil Sciences (IUSS) are launching the “Tiny soil detectives” contest,...

This in brief provides a quick overview of the status of land tenure and governance main report. This document provides policy and data highlights that are further explained in the main text with literature and data analysis. It serves as a reference for policymakers, IGOs, civil society, the private sector,...

Rapid and profound changes in the food and agricultural sector in recent years have made transforming agrifood systems an urgent priority. Building on over 80 years of leadership, FAO is committed to advancing this transformation through a systems approach that navigates trade-offs and maximizes co-benefits. This commitment is reflected in FAO...

Sonya Kirgizova is well known in the mountain villages of Tojikobod in central-eastern Tajikistan. Her neighbours admire her greenhouse, her jars filled with pickled Anzur onions and cucumbers, and the buzzing hives behind her home. More than anything, though, they trust her. This trust is what made her a central...

Resilience in agrifood systems is an urgent challenge, yet effective investment pathways remain elusive. Extreme heat, climate volatility, and mounting pressures on water, energy, and infrastructure are already threatening livelihoods at scale, while fragmented investment approaches continue to limit impact. The question is no longer whether transformation is needed, but how...

Women are central to agrifood systems, yet persistent gender inequalities continue to limit their access to agricultural extension, resources and decision-making. At a time when closing gender gaps could improve food security for 45 million people, these guidelines show how Farmer Field Schools (FFS) can move from gender-blind implementation to...

Chile’s coastline spans nearly 6 500 kilometers, housing coastal marine ecosystems of immense biodiversity and economic importance. Despite significant efforts, threats like overexploitation, pollution, climate change, and fragmented governance undermine these ecosystems and the communities reliant on them. This issue brief highlights Chile's efforts supported by a FAO-GEF initiative to...

This research focuses on the challenges faced by women in Afghanistan with regard to economic empowerment, particularly in the agricultural sector. This sector is critical to the country's economy, but women remain marginalized despite contributing significantly. Various barriers, including limited access to resources and cultural norms, hinder their participation. The...

Climate change-related shifts in marine resource availability and species behavior are increasing rates of human-wildlife conflict (HWC). Although this trend poses significant risks to both human livelihoods and conservation efforts, strategies to resolve HWC focus largely on ecological outcomes, overlooking key impacts and contributions of human resource users. Here, we...

The Guidelines for Sustainable Aquaculture (GSA) were prepared at the request of Members in an inclusive, transparent and participatory manner under the guidance of the Sub-Committee on Aquaculture of the FAO Committee on Fisheries. The GSA offer a comprehensive framework for the management and development of sustainable aquaculture and are...

In this article, agricultural economist Lesley Hope underscores the central role of women smallholder farmers in sub-Saharan Africa, who make up more than half of the region’s 33 million smallholders. Farming plots under two hectares, these women face barriers to land, finance, and equipment but carry deep knowledge of ecosystems,...

This publication outlines a strategic roadmap for mainstreaming biodiversity across agricultural sectors in Uganda from 2024 to 2030. It promotes sustainable practices, community empowerment, and innovative solutions to foster economic prosperity while ensuring environmental stewardship. By connecting biodiversity-friendly production with market opportunities and by promoting responsible resource management, this roadmap...