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The Pequi Trees of Redemption

When Burundian cassava farmers split open the plant’s starchy root, they’re hoping to find white flesh that resembles coconut meat. If instead the inside is marked with brown patches, it’s likely suffering from cassava brown streak disease (CBSD) — bad news for the farmer, who can no longer eat or sell the produce, and whose entire harvest may be at risk of loss due to the disease. Cassava, a carbohydrate-rich root vegetable, is the second most important staple crop in Burundi. Low cassava yields can exacerbate the country’s food insecurity, from which half of the population already suffers. experts trained Burundian scientists in  techniques, using induced mutation and tissue culture techniques to develop a new cassava variety. 

Cacao – the key ingredient in chocolate, and a major cash crop – is making a comeback in Sao Tome and Principe, thanks to ’s assistance, tripling Sao Tome and Principe’s exports in comparison to just 12 years before.

Small family farms make up 85 per cent of all farms worldwide, and smallholder farmers make up the majority of the world’s rural poor. To mitigate the challenges that come with working in isolation − and to increase profitability and productivity − these smallholders often form organizations. Working together makes it easier for small-scale farmers to access raw materials, reach larger markets and reduce costs. And when farmers thrive, other players in the food system benefit, too.

This  provides access to a database of  and non-FAO resources related to urban food policies and programmes in: governance and planning, sustainable diets and nutrition, social and economic equity, food production and ecosystem management, food supply and distribution, food loss and waste.

Today we stand at a critical juncture – historic progress in reducing hunger has stalled, poverty remains stubbornly entrenched in some areas, and inequality is rising, while climate change is an existential threat to our food systems. invests in the millions of rural people, who are most at risk of being left behind: poor small-scale producers, women, young people, indigenous peoples and other vulnerable groups living in rural areas. During the period of its (2022-2024), IFAD is seeking to dramatically increase its impact to accelerate progress towards achieving the 2030 Agenda.

How blockchain has transformed the lives of Ecuadorean cocoa farmers

While women do half the work in agriculture, they don’t get a fair share of the assets, resources or services that farmers need to make a living. As part of 's holistic approach to managing agricultural risks, insurance is a valuable tool. 

They have a long shelf life, they are gluten-free, low in fat and sodium and a good source of iron, potassium, and fiber. .  But they are more than just nutritious seeds. highlights that legumes contribute to sustainable food systems and a Zero Hunger world, since they improve soil fertility, their water footprint is small and they are affordable. This World Pulses Day, 10 February, is another opportunity to heighten public awareness of pulses and their role in sustainable agriculture and achieving the 2030 Agenda.

1) Locusts are the oldest migratory pest in the world. 2) Desert Locust is the most devastating of all locust species. 3) They form swarms that can fly up to 150 km a day. 4) They eat their own weight in food daily.

Since 2011, the Syrian conflict has hit hard the families in the country, as well as its agriculture. Many families lost their husbands, fathers or other breadwinners, leaving women solely responsible for earning money and taking care of their families. FAO teamed up with Slow Food International to offer Syrian women opportunities to gain the skills and confidence they need to boost their production, but also importantly, to help them identify markets. As part of this initiative, seven Syrian women, as well as a number of female technicians, travelled to the Piedmont and Liguria regions of Italy to learn from farming communities that produce and promote local, organic and artisanal foods. 

"As a chef, I believe that we have a responsibility and we should take concrete actions to tackle climate change. Farming communities are threatened and we need to support them by sourcing our food consciously." Born in Senegal and based in New York, 's style of cooking has remained true to his roots. is a series of recipes from developing countries, which look at the threats communities face through climatic change that affect some of the essential ingredients used in their main meal of the day.

The ubiquity, portability and mobility of digital technologies are transforming agriculture and food production.  harnesses the power of digital technologies to pilot, accelerate and scale innovative ideas with high potential for impact in food and agriculture.

Whatever your New Year’s Resolution, a healthy and balanced diet will provide many benefits into 2019 and beyond. Here are some for helping us lead healthier, longer lives.

In 2018, when early warning forecasts indicated a strong likelihood of drought in La Guajira and an increase in the number of migrants, acted to prevent the situation from deteriorating. FAO’s Early Warning Early Action team together with the FAO Colombia country office rolled out a programme to support and train farmers in boosting food production. Different ethnic groups took part in the training in Guayabal including the Wayúu people, the country’s largest indigenous group, as well as Afro-descendants and Venezuelan migrants. FAO’s early action helped to strengthen the social cohesion between these different groups and reduce the tensions that can arise in poorer areas when there is increased competition for jobs, soaring food prices and an influx of migrants.