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This course is the first in the Rural Poverty Reduction series, and provides an overview of rural poverty, and why it is so important to overcome it in rural contexts. The course describes the key concepts and definitions of rural poverty and how it can be measured, its drivers and cross-cutting themes. Finally, it considers the connection with gender issues and the way that gender shapes the way poverty is experienced by rural people.

These Practical guidelines document was prepared under the project Capacity Development for Agricultural Innovation Systems (CDAIS), a global partnership (Agrinatura, FAO and eight pilot countries) that aims to strengthen the capacity of countries and key stakeholders to innovate in complex agricultural systems, thereby achieving improved rural livelihoods. CDAIS uses a continuous learning cycle approach to support national agricultural innovation systems in eight countries in Africa, in Asia and Central America. CDAIS brings together key partners and actors to address commonly identified challenges and opportunities in specific value chains and in key organizations providing innovation support services. CDAIS also addresses the [...]

The Development Law Service has been collaborating with the International Bar Association (IBA) for a few years now, in legal research and capactiy development in areas of common interest. This year, the IBA will hold its Annual conference in Rome in early October 2018 and LEGN will take part in the panel discussion of the Agricultural Law Committee of the IBA. The topic of this year's discussion is responsible investments in agriculture, and what lawyers need to know about the VGGT and the CFS-RAI principles, when they are advising their clients on large scale agricultural land investments in the exercise [...]

The publication is a policy brief jointly prepared by FAO, IFAD and Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute (KMFRI) with the primary aim of raising awareness of the importance and potential of aquaculture development in Kenya for improving the country's food security and nutition status. The brief has been reviewed by a number of experts from the member country government, private sector, academic community, and international organizations (FAO and IFAD).  Key messages of the brief include: • Kenya’s food security and nutrition status has much room to improve. • Fish is a vital source of essential macro- and micronutrients that can play an [...]

Poverty, food insecurity and a lack of employment opportunities drive many young men and women around the world to search for jobs elsewhere. In Africa, where youth underemployment and unemployment rates are particularly high, many young people move away from rural areas, also because they do not perceive agriculture as an attractive and remunerative sector. The project aimed to address the adverse drivers of migration in two target countries, Tunisia and Ethiopia, which are particularly prone to rural outmigration of youth, while at the same time harnessing the development potential of migratory movements. In particular, the project focused on the [...]

Despite its enormous potential, West Africa continues to suffer from high levels of food insecurity, with an estimated 11 percent of its population suffering from undernourishment or chronic hunger. With stunting, wasting, underweight and micronutrient deficiencies (such as vitamin A, iron and iodine deficiencies) affecting the most vulnerable groups, in particular children aged under five and women in reproductive age, a number of initiatives were adopted and projects implemented in the region. However, there has been insufficient coordination of these initiatives and projects, despite the fact that they target similar geographical areas and beneficiary populations. In addition, the Right to [...]

The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) is an innovative multipartnerinitiative for improving food security and nutrition analysis, and decision-making. By using the IPC classification and analytical approach, governments, United Nations (UN) Agencies, Non-governmental Organizations (NGOs), civil society and other relevant actors work together to determine the severity and magnitude of acute and chronic food insecurity, and acute malnutrition situations in a country, according to internationally recognized scientific standards.  

Significant potential exists in Malawi for agricultural production and productivity gains, which could be tapped for value creation and the improvement if living conditions of the broader population. Diversification and business orientation in a market and private sector-led environment can lead to higher and stabilized farm incomes. In order to design and implement this pathway in an inclusive manner, small and medium-sized farmers/processors need a strong institutional support structure that empowers them to link up with more formalized and higher-value market channels, helping them to realize new income opportunities.

In recent years, scientists have developed a range of different models to monitor, evaluate and predict the effects of climate change. However, this information is often focused exclusively on one particular region or scientific domain/topic. Moreover, this information often remains confined within academic contexts and is not used effectively by the decision makers of the countries in which the studies are carried out. As part of FAO’s Analysis and Mapping of Impacts under Climate Change for Adaptation and Food Security, implemented in the Philippines and Peru from 2011 to 2015, the project aimed to analyse the impacts of climate change [...]

This report aims to identify the different scenarios where the process of digital transformation is taking place in agriculture. This identifies those aspects of basic conditions, such as those of infrastructure and networks, affordability, education and institutional support. In addition, enablers are identified, which are the factors that allow adopting and integrating changes in the production and decision-making processes. Finally identify through cases, existing literature and reports how substantive changes are taking place in the adoption of digital technologies in agriculture. Available in Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian and Spanish.