In focus

Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems

Explore striking agricultural systems around the world

Highlights
Director-General
News
Joint Statement by the heads of FAO, IMF, World Bank, WFP and WTO

The global food and nutrition security crisis.

In Focus
FAO response to global food security challenges

Data analyses, policy recommendations, and actions on the ground.

FAO Director-General addresses IFAD Governing Council

QU Dongyu highlights the importance of more resources, more innovation and more focus to support world's farmers.

Interactive story
What's the buzz about bees?

Take our bee quiz and learn more about these tiny food heroes.

In Focus
Help spread the word

See how you can take part in and promote the International Year of Millets 2023.

Story
A new lease on life for Internally Displaced Persons in Mozambique

Families from the country’s destabilised Cabo Delgado Region are getting a chance to start over.

Director-General
FAO Director-General addresses IFAD Governing Council

QU Dongyu highlights the importance of more resources, more innovation and more focus to support world's farmers.

Voices of Impact

13/11/2022

Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS) are way more than just conventional heritage sites. Watch the video to see how and why FAO safeguards the sites and their associated landscapes, agricultural biodiversity, knowledge systems and culture.

Video
14/02/2023

With the right support at the right time, small-scale food producers can protect their livelihoods and their communities, and stand strong against future threats.

Podcast
24/11/2022

Across the globe, people are transforming agrifood systems to become more nutritious, equitable and sustainable. Listen to how one town in northern Italy sparked a global movement to bring about change to local food systems.

Data

Cropland area by region
Asia
  • Americas
  • Europe
  • Africa
  • Oceania
  • Note: Percentages on the figure indicate the shares in the total; they may not tally due to rounding.

    Source: FAO. 2022. FAOSTAT: Land Use. In: FAO. Rome. Cited October 2022.http://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/RL https://doi.org/10.4060/cc2211en-fig04

    2020 World

    31.2%

    2010 World

    31.5%

    FAO and the SDGs

    FAO supports governments and partners to design the right policies and programmes to end hunger, promote food security and promote sustainable agriculture for millions of people around the world.

    Hover the mouse over an SDG icon for more information

    A world free from hunger and malnutrition where food and agriculture contributes to improving the living standards of all

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    FAO works with governments and partners to empower some of the world’s most marginalized people to end rural poverty.

    sdg photo

    FAO helps ensure food security by developing ways of growing food that will work in the future so that millions of people don’t go hungry.

    sdg photo

    Good health starts with nutrition. FAO sets global standards and works with governments and the private sector to ensure food quality and safety throughout the food chain.

    sdg photo

    FAO invests in educational systems for rural communities and supports improved access to primary education and school meals in order to create equal opportunities for all and chances of lifelong learning.

    sdg photo

    FAO supports gender equality in the agricultural sector in an effort to raise levels of nutrition in local communities and improve agricultural productivity.

    sdg photo

    FAO works with governments to ensure water use in agriculture is made more efficient, equitable and environmentally friendly.

    sdg photo

    FAO promotes the use of renewable energies and works to ensure access to modern energy services across the food chain.

    sdg photo

    FAO seeks better economic opportunities for all by investing in sustainable agricultural practices and food systems that reduce inequalities and create decent jobs.

    sdg photo

    FAO seeks to secure a future for rural communities via investments in transportation, irrigation, food storage facilities and communication technologies.

    sdg photo

    FAO works with countries and partners to generate employment in rural areas, ensure access to natural resources for the most vulnerable and connect farmers to markets.

    sdg photo

    FAO works to improve urban healthcare, water quality and rethink city region food systems to help deter the negative effects of sprawling urbanisation.

    sdg photo

    FAO coordinates major global initiatives and projects to tackle food waste and loss, partnering with international organisations, the private sector and civil society.

    sdg photo

    FAO supports countries in responding to the threats of climate change by providing advice, data and tools for better agricultural policies and practices.

    sdg photo

    FAO, in partnership with governments and fishing communities, implements best practices in fisheries to ensure our oceans are protected as a means of livelihoods.

    sdg photo

    FAO promotes sustainable approaches to natural resource management and supports endeavours that promote a balance between conservation and development initiatives.

    sdg photo

    FAO plays a critical role in peacebuilding, restoring rural livelihoods, building resilience and participatory approaches to policymaking.

    sdg photo

    FAO acts as a neutral policymaking forum and develops partnerships with all concerned with food and agriculture to ensure a world free from hunger.

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    sdg photo

    FAO supports governments and partners to design the right policies and programmes to end hunger, promote food security and promote sustainable agriculture for millions of people around the world.

    sdg photo
    sdg photo

    FAO works with governments and partners to empower some of the world’s most marginalized people to end rural poverty.

    Tap for more
    sdg photo
    sdg photo

    FAO helps ensure food security by developing ways of growing food that will work in the future so that millions of people don’t go hungry.

    Tap for more
    sdg photo
    sdg photo

    Good health starts with nutrition. FAO sets global standards and works with governments and the private sector to ensure food quality and safety throughout the food chain.

    Tap for more
    sdg photo
    sdg photo

    FAO invests in educational systems for rural communities and supports improved access to primary education and school meals in order to create equal opportunities for all and chances of lifelong learning.

    Tap for more
    sdg photo
    sdg photo

    FAO supports gender equality in the agricultural sector in an effort to raise levels of nutrition in local communities and improve agricultural productivity.

    Tap for more
    sdg photo
    sdg photo

    FAO works with governments to ensure water use in agriculture is made more efficient, equitable and environmentally friendly.

    Tap for more
    sdg photo
    sdg photo

    FAO promotes the use of renewable energies and works to ensure access to modern energy services across the food chain.

    Tap for more
    sdg photo
    sdg photo

    FAO seeks better economic opportunities for all by investing in sustainable agricultural practices and food systems that reduce inequalities and create decent jobs.

    Tap for more
    sdg photo
    sdg photo

    FAO seeks to secure a future for rural communities via investments in transportation, irrigation, food storage facilities and communication technologies.

    Tap for more
    sdg photo
    sdg photo

    FAO works with countries and partners to generate employment in rural areas, ensure access to natural resources for the most vulnerable and connect farmers to markets.

    Tap for more
    sdg photo
    sdg photo

    FAO works to improve urban healthcare, water quality and rethink city region food systems to help deter the negative effects of sprawling urbanisation.

    Tap for more
    sdg photo
    sdg photo

    FAO coordinates major global initiatives and projects to tackle food waste and loss, partnering with international organisations, the private sector and civil society.

    Tap for more
    sdg photo
    sdg photo

    FAO supports countries in responding to the threats of climate change by providing advice, data and tools for better agricultural policies and practices.

    Tap for more
    sdg photo
    sdg photo

    FAO, in partnership with governments and fishing communities, implements best practices in fisheries to ensure our oceans are protected as a means of livelihoods.

    Tap for more
    sdg photo
    sdg photo

    FAO promotes sustainable approaches to natural resource management and supports endeavours that promote a balance between conservation and development initiatives.

    Tap for more

    sdg photo
    sdg photo

    FAO plays a critical role in peacebuilding, restoring rural livelihoods, building resilience and participatory approaches to policymaking.

    Tap for more
    sdg photo
    sdg photo

    FAO acts as a neutral policymaking forum and develops partnerships with all concerned with food and agriculture to ensure a world free from hunger.

    Tap for more

    In depth

    In Focus
    Annual funding overview

    Thanks to continued trust and growing financial support from our Resource Partners, FAO is working to create a world without hunger or poverty.

    In Focus
    Programme Implementation Report 2020-21

    In an exceptionally challenging biennium, see how FAO rose to the challenge, implementing a global, holistic and multipronged strategy to support Members.

    In Focus
    FAO Data Lab

    The FAO Data Lab for Statistical Innovation modernizes the statistical business process, with a specific focus on emergency contexts, when having access to timely information is very important.

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    Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems.