Videos
Mapping the future of food – FAO’s Geospatial story
11/04/2025
Food production is shaped by geography—land, water, and climate determine where, how and what food we grow. Since its earliest days, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations has recognized the power of spatial data to monitor these vital resources and fulfill its mandate. FAO’s journey with geospatial data began in the 1960s with paper maps and manual digitization. As technology advanced, so did the organization. From manual mapping to computer-based and AI supported analysis. We transformed how we monitor land, water, and food systems. Today, geospatial technology is central to our mission, turning vast data into actionable insights to tackle global food security challenges.
Land Cover as a fundamental spatial information for sustainable resilient agriculture in the Gambia
30/01/2024
This documentary, generously funded by FAO and the Roots project, illuminates The Gambia's groundbreaking land cover map. A visual masterpiece, it unveils the pivotal role this mapping initiative plays in revolutionizing the agricultural sector. With compelling narratives and stunning visuals, the film delves into the significance and multifaceted benefits of the map, offering a profound understanding of its impact on sustainable agriculture. From precision farming to resource optimization, the documentary captures the essence of how this mapping project, a testament to collaboration and innovation, is propelling positive change in The Gambia's agricultural landscape.
Land cover standards in action
22/11/2023
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) plays a crucial role in global efforts to combat hunger and ensure food security, recognizing the significance of data collection, harmonization, consistency and standards in addressing environmental challenges. By developing international standards on land cover and land use, such as the land cover classification system and the inclusion of a land cover meta-language in ISO TC211, FAO contributes to a common framework for characterizing land-based geographic features. These efforts enhance our understanding of land features, facilitate data integration, and ultimately support the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by promoting informed decision-making and addressing global challenges related to the environment and food security. This video highlights the diversity of national, regional and global initiatives and the importance of international standards for monitoring collaboratively and effectively natural resources for sustainable development.
Global Agro-Ecological Zones Version 4
17/06/2021
This video presents the new version of the Global Agro-Ecological Zones platform (GAEZ v4) developed by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in collaboration with the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA). This platform which provides the agronomic backbone for various applications including the quantification of land productivity as well as several key information for agricultural and rural investment.
National Land Representation System and Land Cover Map 2015 of Bangladesh
04/10/2018
This video presents the new version of the Global Agro-Ecological Zones platform (GAEZ v4) developed by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in collaboration with the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA). This platform which provides the agronomic backbone for various applications including the quantification of land productivity as well as several key information for agricultural and rural investment.