From the vegetable fields of Luve to the highlands of Nkhaba, Eswatini’s youth and women farmers are writing a new chapter in the country’s agricultural story. Supported by FAO through the Technical Cooperation Project, young smallholders are shifting from subsistence to commercial production, building resilience against climate shocks, and accessing new markets through innovation.

The Asia-Pacific pavilion was one of six regional showcases, offering visitors a dynamic journey through the region’s rich and diverse agrifood systems. With more than 20 countries from Asia and the Pacific represented and over 250 products on display, the pavilion presented the region’s extraordinary agricultural heritage, biodiversity and lead role in feeding the planet and shaping the future of global cuisine. 

Lesotho is scaling up potato production to strengthen food security, enhance rural livelihoods, and build climate resilience under the One Country One Priority Product (OCOP) initiative. The potatoes have emerged as a strategic agricultural commodity, catalyzing increased productivity and new commercial opportunities for smallholder farmers.

A newly released report captures the outcomes of the Launch Event and Workshop on the Implementation of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) One Country One Priority Product (OCOP) Initiative for Pacific Island countries. Held in Nanjing, China from 16–22 October 2024, the event gathered over 120 participants from FAO, governments of Pacific Island nations, and other stakeholders. 

From 10 to 12 September 2025, the FAO Lebanon booth at the AGRI Lebanon Exhibition was buzzing with energy as visitors gathered to learn more about the FAO “One Country One Priority Product” (OCOP) Initiative. The event offered families and children from across Lebanon an enjoyable day filled with food tastings by Lebanese chefs and a variety of engaging workshops and activities promoting eco-friendly practices.

Experts from across the world shared insights during a high-level event on the implementation of the OCOP initiative, held on 15 October 2025 as part of FAO’s 80th anniversary celebration. The event highlighted how 18 demonstration countries are promoting various Special Agricultural Products with strong potential for sustainable development while nourishing communities and empowering farmers.

High-level event at FAO highlights progress, partnerships, and rallies Members to scale up sustainable agricultural value chains worldwide

Do you know that more than 95 Member Nations are promoting 56 special agricultural products under FAO OCOP initiative? These products are chosen by countries for their cultural significance, exceptional quality and global market potential.  

Do you want to see – and taste – some of these products? Join us at the First FAO Global Exhibition: From Seeds to Foods, taking place from 10 to 13 October at the Park of Porta Capena in Rome. Farmers, producers, scientists and food enthusiasts from more than 140 Member Nations will come together to share their stories, innovations and products. 

Officials and experts from 12 countries attended a September workshop in China on the GIES methodology, co-organized by FAO and the Chinese Academy of Sciences. GIES applies GIS, remote sensing, big data, and IoT to trace product origins and monitor production, strengthening value chains for Special Agricultural Products under FAO’s OCOP initiatives. 

FAO, through the One Country One Priority Product (OCOP) initiative and Soil Doctors Program, partnered with the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Enterprise to conduct a Soil Sampling Training in Central Farm, Belize. The training targeted coconut field technicians from the private sector as well as extension officers to improve soil health management in the coconut sector, a key commodity under OCOP in Belize.

Once grown mainly for family consumption, the potato is now a symbol of national transformation. Choosing this tuber as its priority product, Lesotho joined the FAO OCOP initiative, strengthening the potato value chain — from seeds to sales. For Lesotho, the potato is no longer just a staple. It’s a catalyst — for women’s empowerment, youth employment and a more resilient rural future. 

The One Country One Priority Product (OCOP) Secretariat Core Members convened their mid-year review to reflect on the progress made in the first half of 2025 and chart priorities for the remainder of the year.

In a significant step towards rural transformation, Sudan has officially joined FAO's "One Country One Priority Product" (OCOP) global initiative as its 95th member. Its traditional crop, sorghum, has been designated as a country-specific Special Agricultural Product (SAP). This decision is set to empower millions of Sudanese farmers and foster a more sustainable food value chain.

More than 120 participants from 16 demonstration countries as well as China came together to share knowledge and sustainable development strategies for special agricultural products during a One Country One Priority Product (OCOP) workshop now highlighted in a new report.

Ministers and senior agricultural officials from across Africa and Asia came together in Hanoi, Viet Nam this week for the High-Level Inter-regional Knowledge Exchange on One Country One Priority Product (OCOP) Models, marking a milestone in intercontinental cooperation to transform agrifood systems and improve food security, rural livelihoods, and sustainable development.

The capital of Tajikistan came alive this weekend as people gathered to celebrate the Tirgon festival, one of the country’s most cherished seasonal traditions. This year’s festivities were made even more special with the apricot festival and an exhibition dedicated to “Dried fruits of Tajikistan,” highlighting the nation’s agricultural heritage and showcasing the apricot as a symbol of pride and progress.

FAO celebrated World Bee Day (20 May) and International Tea Day (21 May) with a joint exhibition and tasting event at its headquarters in Rome, underscoring the essential roles of pollinators and tea in global agrifood systems, livelihoods and cultures.