African swine fever, an infectious viral and highly lethal disease that kills pigs and wild boar, first appeared in the Balkans and the Republic of Moldova nearly a decade ago. While not a threat to human health, the virus is a major hazard to pig farms, livelihoods, local economies, and food security.

Innovative financial mechanisms and instruments, such as blended finance, green and impact bonds and sustainability-linked lending, are emerging as powerful tools to catalyze climate action in agrifood systems. 

Some inspired agrifood industry players today understand the need to move from the business-as-usual model to follow the pace of change, and to stay one step ahead. Market and consumer demands for more complex products with green credentials are increasing, as are the challenges of production ...

What barriers prevent farmers and firms from accessing agricultural technologies? And how do small-scale farmers and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) use technologies profitably?

Sustainable agrifood systems are essential to solving food insecurity, malnutrition, poverty, the loss of biodiversity, and climate change. Transformation to more sustainable agrifood systems requires billions of investments over the next decade.  

تعتمد تقنيات إنتاج البنّ المستدامة على المعارف التقليدية للشعوب الأصلية

Coffee is part of the cultural heritage of Indigenous Peoples' communities in Panama and an important source of income. But with limited access to culturally sensitive technical assistance, markets and financing, these communities are struggling to maintain their traditional production methods.

Located at two hours’ drive east of Lagos, Nigeria’s sprawling business capital, Eriwe farm village is the site of one of the countries’ biggest catfish clusters. Along the banks of a little river lie the ponds of nearly 600 fish farmers, organized in cooperatives as part of the Eriwe fishers’ union. These farmers produced some 2 000 tonnes of catfish in 2022.

The waters that surround the Small Island Developing States (SIDS) of the Pacific are home to remarkable marine ecosystems. The fish and other marine species they host are deeply intertwined with many Pacific peoples’ cultures, livelihoods and food. But while the communities of these islands continue to consume fish in significant quantities, the diversity of Islanders’ diets is declining, and their nutrition is deteriorating.

The FAO Investment Centre wrapped up two days of thought-provoking discussions on investing in food security and climate resilience during its annual Investment Days in mid-July. The event, in its twelfth year, brought together 250 participants, including international financing institutions, development bankers, farmer organizations, private sector innovators, technical experts and thought-leaders to share the latest knowledge and best practices on investment, financing and innovations for a healthier, more sustainable future.

Under the umbrella of the World Food Forum (WFF), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is honoured to host the second and more extensive edition of the Hand-in-Hand (HIH) Investment Forum, which takes place from 17 to 20 October 2023 in Rome, Italy.

The World Bank approved a second and third phase of its food systems resilience programme for East and Southern Africa earlier this year. The FAO Investment Centre contributed substantially to the appraisal and design of both – a USD 300 million programme for Tanzania and a USD 621 million programme covering Comoros, Kenya, Malawi, Somalia and the African Union.

Although risk-based approaches to disaster management are particularly effective, the rapid start-up of risk financing is hardly conceivable in the case of a drought that has been grossly underfinanced. Even if existing resources are spent more effectively, the gap far exceeds the active finance flows.

Creating over 10 million decent jobs annually by 2035 is crucial. Agricultural supply chains hold promise for youth, yet challenges persist. A joint brief by FAO and AUC outlines investment approaches and principle to empower youth in agrifood systems. 

Morocco has taken steps in recent years to raise the profile of its olive oils – both at home and abroad – by improving quality standards, productivity and efficiency, from field to shelf.

The war in Ukraine is having an enormous impact on global food security. Together, Ukraine and the Russian Federation account for one-third of global cereal exports and about half of the export market for sunflower oil. Global food prices, already steep during the pandemic in 2021, rose to new heights by May 2022.

Belize’s coastal areas feature one of the world’s largest barrier reefs – a major tourist draw. Protecting those resources and strengthening the climate resilience of the country’s coastal communities are vital.

Bhutan is eager to go from a food deficit to a food surplus – able to sustainably feed its growing and urbanizing population with safe, healthy and nutritious food. 

In Viet Nam’s Central Highlands and South-Central Coast, the clearing of forests for crops is driving up greenhouse gas emissions and biodiversity loss. The country is keen to strike a balance between protecting its forests and helping rural households in these regions earn a decent living, many of whom belong to ethnic minority communities.

Georgia has much to offer to tourists. Its stunning natural beauty, stretching from mountains to shores, is matched by a vast array of gastronomic delights unique to the country.