The role of Agricultural Innovation Systems in Central Asia and Caucasus countries and China towards more sustainable food security and nutrition
The purpose of this cross-regional online discussion is to offer stakeholders an opportunity to share their experience, knowledge and regional good practices on strengthening Agricultural Innovation Systems in the Central Asia and Caucasus (CAC) countries and China. The outcomes of the online-discussions will feed into face-to-face consultation on the Roadmap to enhance Rural Advisory Service systems in CAC countries and China to be organized as a side event at the 6th Annual Meeting of the Global Forum for Rural Advisory Services.
Healthy soils are the basis for healthy food production
The most widely recognized function of soil is its support for food production. It is the foundation for agriculture and the medium in which nearly all food-producing plants grow. In fact, it is estimated that 95% of our food is directly or indirectly produced on our soils. Healthy soils supply the...
Rural radio and agricultural development: linking farmers, extension workers and reserarchers
Broadcast media play a big role in disseminating information about innovations in agricultural technologies and practices while seeking to engage farmers and stakeholders in interactive discussions. John Cheburet, Kenyan journalist-producer of 'The Organic Farmer' and award winner of an Africa-wide scriptwriting competition on smallholder farmer innovation invites Forum members to discuss the nature of the relationship between broadcast media (in particular radio), extension workers and farmers.
Rural radio and community media: empowering rural youth for resilient livelihoods and improved food security and nutrition
This year’s World Radio Day (13 February) celebrates “Radio and Youth” and we are happy to invite you to explore the role radio and community media have in the lives of rural people in West Africa. How is rural radio contributing to empower youth and to improve resilience and food security and nutrition of rural communities in West Africa? Join our new online discussion from 2 February!
The State of Food and Agriculture 2014
More than 500 million family farms manage the majority of the world's agricultural land and produce most of the world's food. We need family farms to ensure global food security, to care for and protect the natural environment and to end poverty, undernourishment and malnutrition. Goals can be thoroughly achieved if public policies support family farms to become more productive and sustainable; in other words policies must support family farms to innovate within a system that recognizes their diversity and the complexity of the challenges faced.
The State of Food and Agriculture 2014: Innovation in family farming analyses family farms and the role of innovation in ensuring global food security, poverty reduction and environmental sustainability. It argues that family farms must be supported to innovate in ways that promote sustainable intensification of production and improvements in rural livelihoods.
State of the World's Forests 2014 (SOFO)
Enhancing the socioeconomic benefits from forests Across the world, forests, trees on farms, and agroforestry systems play a crucial role in the livelihoods of rural people by providing employment, energy, nutritious foods and a wide range of other goods and ecosystem services. They have tremendous...
The State of Food Insecurity in the World 2014 (SOFI)
Strengthening the enabling environment for food security and nutrition The State of Food Insecurity in the World 2014 presents updated estimates of undernourishment and progress towards the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) and World Food Summit (WFS) hunger targets. A stock-taking of where we stand...
Meat Atlas - Facts and figures about the animals we eat
This publication sheds light on the impacts of meat and dairy production, and aims to catalyse the debate over the need for better, safer and more sustainable food and farming.
Impacts of foreign agricultural investment in developing countries: evidence from case studies
Although there has been much debate about the potential benefits and risks of international investment, there is a lack of systematic evidence on the actual impacts on the host country and their determinants. This paper summarizes the results of FAO’s case studies on foreign investment in developing...
The future of Family Farming: empowerment and equal rights for women and youth
In the context of the International Year of Family Farming, this discussion targets those active in family farming who have suggestions on how to improve livelihoods of female farmers and how to encourage youth to pursue family farming.