UN partners with European Commission to promote ‘climate-smart’ agriculture A woman farmer The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the European Commission are teaming up to help Malawi, Viet Nam and Zambia transition to a “climate-smart” approach to agriculture. The €5.3 million project announced today seeks to make changes in farming systems that […]

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Despite end-of-year decline, 2011 food prices highest on record – UN Photo: NobbiP Global food prices declined in December, but the overall annual average was the highest ever on record, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) reported today. Last month, FAO’s Food Price Index level was 211 points – 27 points below its […]

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New chief of UN’s food and agriculture agency outlines plans as he starts work FAO Director-General José Graziano da Silva The new head of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has begun work, pledging today to increase the agency’s support to poor countries experiencing prolonged food crises. “Ending hunger requires the commitment of […]

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UN agency warns of danger of bird flu research and urges safety measures The United Nations health agency has voiced deep concern that scientific research undertaken on a strain of highly pathogenic influenza could have negative consequences but also acknowledged that tightly-controlled studies needed to continue to limit the possibility of future risks to the […]

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New UN initiative to boost Mozambican crop yields FAO has assisted Mozambique in stepping up quality seed production to increase crop yields A new United Nations initiative in Mozambique aimed at increasing the quality of seeds will help the African country capitalize on its arable land and unlock its potential, the Organization’s agricultural agency announced […]

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UN book highlights benefits of Amazon plants and foods to improve livelihoods Amazon Rainforest A United Nations book released today aims to provide people in the developing world with accessible knowledge of Amazon plants and foods they can use to improve their livelihoods. The book, Fruit Trees and Useful Plants in Amazonian Life, is written in easy-to-grasp language […]

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Efficiency of livestock systems must be improved – UN report Zebu cattle on a breeding farm in Kenya As demand for livestock increases, efficient methods to increase production will be crucial to meet global needs, a new United Nations report stresses, warning current production practices lack the necessary capabilities to provide sustainable solutions over the next few […]

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Corruption leading to unequal access, use and distribution of land – UN report Corruption caused by weak governance is leading to unequal land distribution and poor resource management, according to a United Nations report released today, which argues that this lack of transparency is undermining social stability, investment and growth in developing countries. Weak land […]

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Developing nations offer creative solutions for tackling hunger, says Assembly President General Assembly President Nassir Abdulaziz Al-Nasser. UN Photo/Jean-Marc Ferré The President of the General Assembly today lauded the Global South-South Development Expo held in Rome as a strong testimony to the creativity of developing countries to achieve global food security. “This year’s Expo has […]

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Loss of mountain forests would unleash serious socio-economic effects – UN The loss of mountain forests sparked by increasing temperatures and population growth would have serious socio-economic and environmental consequences, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) warned today, calling on governments to increase their efforts to protect them and incorporate them into their […]

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