المنتدى العالمي المعني بالأمن الغذائي والتغذية

The impacts of bioenergy on Food Security have been highly debated. FAO’s Bioenergy and Food  Security Criteria and Indicators (BEFSCI) project is currently developing a set of criteria, indicators, good practices and policy options on sustainable bioenergy production that safeguards and, if possible, fosters food security. We welcome comments and inputs on a set of “core” indicators that governments could use (on a voluntary basis) to monitor the impacts of modern bioenergy production on the four dimensions of food security.

The communities of Sahelian West Africa (Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali) face, year after year, hardships due to drought despite all the aid awarded by international organizations. Lack of understanding of the communities' societies and a fragmented approach seem to be among the causes. What can we do to increase the impact of assistance programmes and reduce the vulnerability of these households?

FAO and WFP are in the process of each developing a Corporate Strategy on Information Systems for Food and Nutrition Security and will also work together on a Joint Strategy. These activities are based on the recommendations of the “Joint Thematic Evaluation of FAO and WFP Support to Information Systems for Food Security (ISFS)” and FAO and WFP management responses.

Broadcast media play a big role in disseminating information about innovations in agricultural technologies and practices while seeking to engage farmers and stakeholders in interactive discussions. John Cheburet, Kenyan journalist-producer of 'The Organic Farmer' and award winner of an Africa-wide scriptwriting competition on smallholder farmer innovation invites Forum members to discuss the nature of the relationship between broadcast media (in particular radio), extension workers and farmers.  

How diverse are rural livelihoods and incomes? Are different types of rural households differently equipped for facing food and financial crises? FAO's RIGA team invites you to share country specific case studies as well as general inputs.

What are the ingredients of successful agribusiness initiatives for small-scale farmers in developing countries? How to face the numerous challenges in supporting farmers willing to market their products further down the supply chain?

How can we make the best use of agricultural technology to achieve food security? Is there still a role for older technologies and for traditional approaches? Or embracing industrial production systems should be the way forward? Peter Steele from FAO Cairo is raising this topic inviting members and anyone interested to share their views. At the background of the debate lies the African context, where the challenges and potentials are huge and where, unlike Asia, a green revolution, with its pros and cons, never took place.

Can Livestock Keepers' Rights help in improving food security of people living in marginal lands? Evidence of the importance of small-scale livestock production systems making use of uncultivable lands and crop is strong; should they be given prominence over commercial producers, producing large amounts of cheap animal protein based on imported breeds and imported feed?

With different partners, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO) is committed to the World Urban Forum V (WUF V). The WUF V will take place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from 22 to 26 March. Its theme is: “The Right to the City, Bridging the Urban Divide”. Food and agriculture issues are at stake as they are a growing concern as well as a part of the solution.

My name is Jean Balié, I am an Economist with the Agricultural Development Economics Division (ESA) in FAO and at present, I’m working on a new project, called Monitoring African Food and Agricultural Policies (MAFAP) jointly implemented by FAO and the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). The aim of the project is to facilitate policy dialogue based on a sound and analytical monitoring system to promote more informed decision-making at the national, regional and international levels.