Social innovations are grassroots processes aiming to achieve impacts beyond an individual level and towards a broader societal good. The environmental dimension of impacts refers to any direct change to the environment resulting from social innovation activities, products, or services, which are not addressed by pre-existing systems. In this paper,...

Honeybee viruses are important threats for honeybee health. However, there are no effective agents to prevent and control honeybee viruses. In association with the proper Varroa management and control, a suitable thermal insulation of the beehive and keeping the beehive dry and insulated can reduce the outbreak and development of...

FAO is deeply concerned about the food security situation in Ukraine. The war that began on 24 February 2022 has caused extensive damage and loss of life in key population centres, spread across rural areas, and sparked massive displacement. It is clear that the war has resulted in a massive,...

In a refreshingly optimistic book, ‘The soil will save us’, Kristin Ohlson explains how agriculture could stop emitting carbon, and instead remove it from the air and place it in the soil.

For three days, FAO Members from Europe and Central Asia discussed current agricultural issues that are key to transforming the region’s food systems for better nutrition. Ending today, the Forty-Second Session of the European Commission on Agriculture also voted on policy recommendations to improve agrifood production, support rural economies, and advance gender...

Agricultural production systems encompassing crop, forestry, livestock, aquaculture and fisheries production, play an essential role in meeting the increasing demands for food, feed, fibre and fuel. By 2050, food production will have to increase by over 50 percent to meet the projected demands from a growing population, diet shifts, and an...

Reflecting nutritional challenges in Europe and Central Asia, the Forty-Second Session of the European Commission of Agriculture (ECA) is dedicated to transforming food systems to address all forms of malnutrition in the region. Starting tomorrow in a hybrid format, the event also relates to the global FAO theme for 2020–2021 – promoting...

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) estimates that at least 20 percent of Ukraine’s winter crops – wheat, most notably – may not be harvested or planted. This will further reduce the global food supply, with serious implications for Europe, Central Asia and beyond.  FAO’s revised Rapid...

The Organic Europe’s Youth Event (OEYE), taking place on 31 August-1 September in Frick, Switzerland, is an event for youth interested and active in organic. It will provide a platform to discuss and learn about the potential and challenges of organic production and its role as a sustainable food system.The youth event...

The Organic Farm Knowledge platform (organic-farmknowledge.org) provides access to a wide range of tools and resources about organic farming that can help improve production. We are pleased to share this month’s newsletter with you.

As the only EU event on organic and agroecological research and innovation, TP Organics' Organic Innovation Days provide a unique opportunity to meet members of TP Organics, network with EU stakeholders and decision-makers. The 2022 edition will take place as a physical event on 11-12 October in Belgium (at agricultural...

Earlier this summer, renowned Georgian chef Guram Baghdoshvili prepared khinkali – a traditional Georgian meat-filled dumpling – on an Instagram live hosted by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and FAO. As Baghdoshvili took viewers through the steps – rolling out the dough, mixing the filling, shaping the dumpling just so to prevent...

The Organic Research Centre is a leading, independent, research charity working for better farming, food and health, promoting environmental sustainability, quality food and health and wellbeing for all. We work in the UK and internationally to: research and develop practical, sustainable land management and food production systems based on organic...

The recent escalation in conflict in Ukraine is affecting the food security of the most vulnerable rural households. According to the United Nations (UN) Flash Appeal, given the scale and direction of the ongoing hostilities, 18 million people are projected to be affected, including up to 6.7 million projected to...

This study focuses on how we can effectively maintain and enhance forest biodiversity in Europe. It looks at what is at stake, the current external and internal threats to forest biodiversity and makes recommendations for how we should respond – both in terms of forest management, and also in terms...

It was one of those days when Ylvi Çengaj was working intensively in the village of Rrenc in the southern part of Kosovo1 to establish forests with native seedlings in an abandoned area. Contracted as a casual worker along with dozens of others by a forestry programme of the Food and Agriculture...

Mix concentrated E.M. from the farm shop with molasses and water, and let it ferment for a week. You can also make your own solution of good micro-organisms with local materials. You can mix the activated solution with water to use on any crop, to soak your seed or to...

Via social media farmers market their organic produce and customers place orders from ½ to 5 kg of organic produce. Customers receive guaranteed healthy, fresh farm produce delivered to their door. By having a fixed client base, farmers have a regular income and get a higher price for their produce....

Using mason bees can ensure optimal pollination in intensive fruit orchards when naturally occurring pollinators are not (yet) present or are too few. Practical recommendations The two most important managed wild bees for fruit crops pollination are the European orchard bee (Osmia cornuta) and the Red mason bee (Osmia bicornis),...

Continuous improvement of Georgia’s agriculture, agrifood systems, rural livelihoods, export opportunities, and food safety – responding to climate change, land degradation, biodiversity, and other environmental issues – are among the priorities set out in a new agreement of FAO and Georgia signed here today. Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture Otar...