Agricultural insurance and agricultural finance should work hand-in-hand, yet they have evolved as separate markets, leaving smallholder farmers dangerously exposed to climate shocks and production losses that can wipe out livelihoods and destabilise entire value chains. Despite clear evidence that insurance reduces loan defaults, improves lender capital adequacy and encourages...

Reliable land cover information is vital for sustainable resource management, environmental protection, and climate resilience. In Somalia, where natural resources face increasing pressure from climate variability and land degradation, a harmonized classification system is essential for informed planning and decision-making. The Land Cover Reference System (LCRS) for Somalia provides a...

An investment in rural development is an investment in food security, economic opportunity and global stability. At a time of rising global uncertainty, IFAD’s fourteenth replenishment (IFAD14) represents an opportunity for high-impact investment. And in a world where 80 per cent of the poorest people live in rural areas, strategic investment in the...

Integrated soil fertility management (ISFM) is a holistic approach aimed at nurturing soil fertility and agricultural productivity sustainably. Recognizing soil fertility as a dynamic and multifaceted system, ISFM acknowledges the interplay of diverse factors such as nutrient dynamics, organic matter content and soil structure and the symbiotic relationships between plants,...

Saudi Arabia’s small ruminant sector sustains rural livelihoods; however, it faces challenges including high feed costs, limited access to animal health services, and low reproductive efficiency. With the support of the FAO and Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture (MEWA), we piloted a Farm Service Delivery Model (FSDM) that embeds...

En el marco del Mes de la Mujer, más de 200 productoras, emprendedoras y dirigentes de la agricultura de la Región de Valparaíso, se dieron cita en el seminario “Mujeres del Agro: Mujeres, Agua y Territorios”, instancia que puso en valor el rol fundamental e histórico que cumplen las mujeres...

Saudi Arabia is placing strong emphasis on agricultural development as a key driver of sustainable rural transformation under Saudi Vision 2030. In support of this national ambition, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture (MEWA), is implementing...

Rural youth are critical to the future of our planet. There are 1.3 billion young people worldwide today, making them the largest generation in history, with almost half living in rural areas. Supporting their entrepreneurial talent creates job opportunities and ensures that rural areas become engines of stability, prosperity and sustainable growth. They have...

Often hear people talk about the "bioeconomy' but you don't know what it is? Take a seat and relax, you've come to the right place. Welcome to Bioeconomy 101!

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...

Africa has the youngest population in the world, with more than 60 per cent of people under 25. One in four young Africans are not in employment, education or training, and as the population grows, millions enter the job market every year.   These young people are one of the continent's greatest untapped opportunities. The agrifood sector can absorb these young jobseekers, creating a positive ripple effect for food...

This Legal Paper draws on existing frameworks such as the Codex Alimentarius, World Trade Organization agreements, and other agreements, to highlight gaps and challenges in regulating new food technologies. It also addresses the legal perspective on broader societal and ethical implications, particularly concerning sustainable development, human rights, and environmental sustainability....

This policy brief is part of the mutual efforts in disseminating science-based knowledge and information, leveraging the Japan International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences (JIRCAS)’s scientific expertise and FAO’s global outreach, as envisaged under the memorandum of understanding. It highlights recent JIRCAS achievements across its three major research programmes and...

In today’s world, thriving often means rushing to the office early in the morning, with barely enough time to prepare breakfast. Lunch becomes a quick one-hour break, just enough to eat, but rarely enough time to think about where our food comes from. In this fast-paced modern life, productivity is...

The Highlights of science and innovation in FAO’s Work report was developed to illustrate the breadth and depth of science and innovation in FAO’s efforts. The FAO Science and Innovation Strategy is a key tool to support the implementation of the FAO Strategic Framework 2022-31. The report presents examples of...

En el marco del curso virtual “Prácticas de consumo para impulsar las economías rurales”, el jueves 12 de febrero se desarrolló la cuarta y última clase sincrónica titulada “Datos y digitalización para el consumo y la economía rural”, facilitada por Lesly Zerna, ingeniera en telecomunicaciones y especialista en tecnologías digitales. La sesión...

Oscar Bazoberry Chali nos invita a un recorrido por 10 años consecutivos del Informa Anual Acceso a la tierra y territorio en Sudamérica: "Leídos en secuencia, el Informe Anual en sus diez versiones no son únicamente una colección de capítulos nacionales, constituyen una serie histórica que acompaña el desplazamiento de...

A new guidance on production, preparation, and export of organic plant products into the European Union provides a comprehensive, simplified summary of the legal requirements for operators and groups of operators in non-EU countries. It was implemented in collaboration with FiBL.

Industrial farming practices are leaving harmful marks on India’s agricultural resources. 30% of the soils are degraded, groundwater is depleting fast, and biodiversity – specifically critical soil microbes, insects and birds – continues to disappear. Furthermore, these practices contribute to greenhouse gas emissions, rendering Indian food systems ever more vulnerable to the effects of climate change. The resulting losses in production have pushed marginalised communities – in particular small farmers, women, and Indigenous...

Back in 2024, the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) already highlighted – in the Global Land Outlook – that “current global food systems are among the main sources of land degradation. Globally, they are responsible for 80% of deforestation, 70% of freshwater use, and are the largest cause of terrestrial...