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Pulses are a sub group of legumes with extraordinary nutritional and environmental benefits. Pulses are rich in proteins, in comparison with other plant-based protein sources and hence, act as major protein sources for vegetarians and in regions where meat and dairy are not physically or economically accessible. Pulses have a greater genetic diversity than the other crops, with many varieties of pulses resistant to floods, drought and other extreme and marginal environmental conditions.   Considering the benefits of pulses, the Government of Sri Lanka has initiated several programmes to promote pulses to address micronutrient deficiencies, which are widespread, particularly among nutritionally vulnerable [...]

The Elements to Facilitate Domestic Implementation of Access and Benefit-Sharing for Different Subsectors of Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture aim to assist governments considering developing, adapting or implementing access and benefit-sharing measures to take into account the importance of genetic resources for food and agriculture, their special role in food security and the distinctive features of their different subsectors, while complying, as applicable, with international instruments.

This bulletin is prepared by the Food Price Monitoring and Analysis (FPMA) Team of the Global Information and Early Warning System on Food and Agriculture (GIEWS) in the Trade and Markets Division of FAO. It contains latest information and analysis on domestic prices of basic foods mainly in developing countries, complementing FAO analysis on international markets. It provides early warning on high food prices at country level  that may negatively affect food security. The July 2019 edition is also available in: Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian and Spanish. 

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 [...]

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.  

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 [...]

The key drivers in food value chain development are the entrepreneurs. They create firms that are profitable and competitive, create many jobs, link in many smallholders and producer organizations as suppliers, generate tax revenues, improve the food supply to consumers (lower price, higher quality), and have a positive impact on the wider environment in which they operate (e.g., reduce rural poverty). Applied to Africa, the approach is to develop a publication that synthesizes a combination of literature review and 12 carefully selected cases of particularly successful entrepreneurs. The document will be organized around four sub-themes (scaling up, youth, women, challenging BEEs). [...]

Using a storytelling approach, this special series of short stories communicates the impact of FAO's work on prevention and response to transboundary threats, told through the voice of the individuals affected.

Advocacy on FAO’s emergency prevention activities along the food chain, in addition to providing information. This series presents FCC-EMPRES core activities through successful programs and initiatives illustrating FAO’s role in supporting member countries to prevent, prepare and respond to transboundary, high impact animal and plant pests and diseases and food safety threats. See more information sheets here.