This blog post has nothing to do with vegans or vegetarians. It’s all about realizing how much water is needed to produce just 1 kilo of meat and why we should be cutting off some meat from our diets for many reasons, water included. It is actually a matter of...

This webinar series presents several perspectives on strategies for preserving farmland and supporting peasant agroecology in Europe, from the local to the European level. It results from a pluriannual partnership, bringing together the European Coordination Via Campesina, Eco Ruralis, IFOAM EU, Urgenci, the Transnational Institute, as well as Terre de Liens...

This publication aims to provide an overview of actions and initiatives on Agroecology in Europe and Central Asia countries. There is enough evidence that agroecology contributes to more sustainable food systems, in particular to delivering food production while respecting natural resources, ecosystem services and social processes. However, to assure agroecology can...

At an FAO webinar, seed experts discussed the impacts of COVID-19 on seed systems – the primary basis for human sustenance – and potential action to mitigate these. The recording of the virtual event is available online. Food production depends on the availability, accessibility, and quality of seeds. Although the COVID-19 crisis’...

The background for conducting country studies on the challenges, needs and constraints of smallholders and family farms in seven countries has been a wish to further strengthen the Regional Initiative and develop the initiative towards a stronger programmatic approach at both the regional and country levels. To provide support to...

The background for conducting country studies on the challenges, needs and constraints of smallholders and family farms in seven countries has been a wish to further strengthen the Regional Initiative and develop the initiative towards a stronger programmatic approach at both the regional and country levels. To provide support to...

The background for conducting country studies on the challenges, needs and constraints of smallholders and family farms in seven countries has been a wish to further strengthen the Regional Initiative and develop the initiative towards a stronger programmatic approach at both the regional and country levels. To provide support to...

Coming from a family with a long tradition in agriculture, Ljupco Angelovski, a young family farmer in the village of Egri, North Macedonia, wanted to modernise his farm when he took it over from his parents. His land, however, was fragmented into 15 tiny plots scattered in different locations. 

The 32nd Session of the FAO Regional Conference for Europe started as FAO Members from Europe and Central Asia will discuss several challenges facing the region on food and agriculture, particularly how to promote sustainable agri-food systems and healthy diets as well as solutions for youth, employment and developing rural areas. Hosted by Uzbekistan in...

The COVID-19 pandemic is jeopardizing human health and disrupting the food systems that are the foundations of health. Unless we take immediate action, we could face a global food emergency of severity and scale unseen for more than half a century.  FAO is calling for USD 1.2 billion in initial investments to finance FAO’s COVID-19 Response and Recovery...

For me, becoming an organic farmer is an investment in myself. I encourage people to love nature, love life, and eat organic.” Meet Luljeta, an organic farmer from Albania 🇦🇱 who makes a living growing olives for food and cosmetics.

he Proceedings of the Conference aims to compile the data collected during the Conference and archive for future. It is composed of 6 chapters. The chapter on keynote speeches include presentations of Mr Hafiz Muminjanov, Agricultural Officer at FAO headquarters, introducing Conservation Agriculture: a win-win option for food security, land...

Forests are high on the political agenda of Kazakhstan. In collaboration with the joint UNECE/FAO Forestry and Timber Section and international experts, the country has developed the draft “Master Plan for the Development of the Forestry Sector of the Republic of Kazakhstan until 2030,” as well as an action plan for its...

Les couverts végétaux temporaires ou engrais verts se développent en viticulture dans le but de disposer de sols vivants et plus résilients aux aléas climatiques. Leur utilisation est très pertinente en viticulture biologique pour sécuriser les rendements souhaités et optimiser la qualité de ses vins tout en créant de la...

Mélanie Besse, jeune viticultrice valaisanne de 26 ans, est ainsi l’une des premières professionnelles – et la seule femme - en Suisse à traiter elle-même, selon un programme bio, l’ensemble de son domaine de 4,5 hectares de vignes en terrasses au drone. Nous avons suivi ce chantier exceptionnel lors du...

The grain legume white lupin (Lupinus albus L.) is a promising local alternative for imported soybean in Europe because of its high protein content, which is perfect for the food and feed industry. However, white lupin is almost not being cultivated because of anthracnose disease, caused by the fungal pathogen...

The Europe and Central Asia Regional Synthesis for The State of the World’s Biodiversity for Food and Agriculture summarizes the state of biodiversity for food and agriculture in the region, based largely on information provided in nineteen country reports submitted to FAO as part of the reporting process for the...

In Belgium we have an expression: “all Belgians are born with a brick in their stomach”, meaning that all citizens aspire to build their own house someday. But when bricks are literally eaten, something has gone seriously wrong.  

Tuta absoluta (Tomato leaf miner) is a threat to the tomato production worldwide, as Tuta is resistant to most insecticides. In this video, Eduardo Crisol and Jan van der Blom from Coexphal explain how Tuta can be successfully controlled by a natural enemy called Necremnus tutae. This tiny wasp enters...

Baobab fruit juice made from the pulp is very healthy, and can be added to porridge and sauces. However, the quality of the pulp can be greatly affected if fruits are not handled well during and after harvest. When baobab pods are damaged and have splits in the shell, moisture...