Malnutrition isn’t just a problem of hunger in developing countries—it exists in all regions and across socio-economic classes. The effects on human health Besides undernutrition, malnutrition also includes micronutrient-deficient diets and overweight and obesity. Chronic malnutrition can have serious, often life-threatening, health consequences, especially for children. Undernutrition can lead to physical and cognitive stunting, and makes children more susceptible to infectious diseases. Micronutrient deficiencies [...]

In the face of changing weather driven by climate change and the increasing demand for food, Conservation Agriculture (CA) aims to achieve sustainable and profitable agriculture and improve farmers’ livelihoods. Here are five things you need to know. 1. CA observes three main principles that you should remember Direct seeding involves growing crops without mechanical seedbed preparation and with minimal soil disturbance [...]

Hundreds of millions of people around the world continue to suffer from hunger and malnutrition. Governments are urged to make stronger commitments at November’s Second International Conference on Nutrition (ICN2) to ensure healthier diets for all. That's according to the Food and Agriculture Organization and the World Health Organization of the United Nations. Watch this video to find out the challenges that [...]

In the past 20 years, malnutrition in mothers and children has decreased by almost half. But despite this progress, child undernutrition is still the greatest nutrition-related health burden in the world. One of the biggest problems with child undernutrition is that it continues the cycle of stunting: stunted girls grow up to be stunted mothers, and stunted mothers are much [...]

The United Nations launched the 2014 International Year of Family Farming to stress the vast potential family farmers have to eradicate hunger and preserve natural resources. In both developed and developing countries, more than 500 million, or nine out of ten, farms are managed by families, making family farms the predominant form of agriculture. They not only produce about 80% [...]

As the clock ticks on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), the world community is deep in discussion over the successor global framework. Many current practices are damaging the planet’s ecosystems and the biodiversity essential for healthy food production. By 2050 an estimated additional 2 billion people will be living on Earth.  This means food production must rise by 60%. From 8 MDGs [...]

As part of a balanced diet, milk and dairy products can be an important source of dietary energy, protein and fat. But, the scientific evidence is massing up that regular consumption of large quantities of milk can be bad for your health, and campaigners are making noise about the environmental and international costs of large-scale intensive dairy farming. We put together [...]

What happens when money is given directly to people living in dire conditions? Will children be better nourished? Will families be more productive or will they become dependent? Will economies grow stronger? Today, some 70 percent of the world population, most of which live in rural areas, have no access to adequate social protection measures. For this reason, FAO has [...]

Fish plays an important role in fighting hunger and malnutrition and is the main source of animal protein in many developing countries. Seafood is not only a source of proteins and healthy long-chain omega-3 fats, but also an essential source of other nutrients like iodine, vitamin D and calcium, which are crucial to living a healthy life. Here are 10 interesting [...]

In 2015 we celebrated the “International Year of Soils” and with good reason. Soil sustains all our agricultural and livestock food production, wood for fuel production, filters water so that we can drink it and fish can live in it. We also use it for construction - therefore it sustains our homes and infrastructure. As we approach the end of #IYS [...]

Mountains provide freshwater and biodiversity, and are a major source of food. By definition, they dominate their surroundings with towering height and protect valleys and their inhabitants. They play a critical part in moving the world towards sustainable economic growth and have a leading role as indicators of climate change. As we celebrate the International Mountain Day, see how much you [...]

At the beginning of the year we took a tour of 6 incredible plants you might not have heard of. Diets worldwide – from forest roots and leaves such as the moringa in Africa and parts of Asia to cardoon, the close relative of the artichoke in Europe – are varied, suited to local environment and can counter malnutrition and [...]

10: EtymologyThe word pulse originates directly from the Latin puls meaning "thick gruel, porridge, mush.” 9: Pulses vs legumes, what’s the difference?The term "legume" refers to the plants whose fruit is enclosed in a pod. Pulses are a subgroup of the legume family, but the term “pulse” refers only to the dried seed. Dried beans, lentils and peas are the most commonly known and consumed types [...]

When thinking of this fruit we love so much what is the image that first pops to mind? Perhaps a green or a yellow with a greenish tint energy food? Or maybe a banana packaged in a perfect shade of yellow? If that’s the case, then it is time to broaden that perspective. Say hello to the Fe’i banana! This traditional [...]

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Climate change is what most of us perceive as the top global threat, and the dangers it poses affect present and future generations alike.  How global warming is threatening the planet has been a theme in children’s books for all ages for some time.   How everyone, especially today’s youth, can make a difference to the future of the world [...]

Smallholders and people living in rural areas in Africa grow a huge variety of edible plants other than rice, wheat or maize. These crops, including the African yam bean, have long been neglected although they represent an excellent alternative food supplement to most diets. Grown in pockets of tropical Central, West and East Africa, the African yam bean (Sphenostylis stenocarpa) [...]

We see them each and every day: at the grocery store, the farmer’s market and as side orders served with your favourite dish. In many countries, they are part of the cultural heritage and are consumed on a regular basis. In other parts of the world, they hardly garner a mention except when served as soup on a cold winter’s [...]

In 2016 we celebrated the International Year of Pulses and it is obvious why. Pulses are good for you, beneficial to farmers' livelihoods and have a positive impact on the environment. It is clear that even though dried beans, lentils and peas have been around for centuries, they will play a fundamental role in our sustainable future. Even though #IYP2016 has [...]

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Over the past years, we have often been reminded that we must leave no one behind as we strive to cement our plans for a sustainable future. Most recent data indicate that many of the Small Island Developing States (SIDS) have achieved undernourishment levels of less than 5 percent. Good governance is perhaps the most essential factor in increasing food [...]

Migration has always existed. It has been a means to reunite with family, to find better jobs, to have a new experience or to start a better life. In 2015, the number of people migrating was up to 1 out of every 7 people in the world.   When it is a choice, migration can be a good way to spread [...]

FAO plays an important and unique role as a neutral forum, offering unbiased, high-quality information across all areas related to food, agriculture and sustainable natural resources management. With over 500 new publications a year, FAO provides robust technical knowledge and global statistics. By broadly disseminating timely, accurate and compelling information, FAO informs the work of practitioners, researchers and policy-makers, while raising [...]

Perhaps from outer space, it is easy to get the perspective that we only have one earth and that it is succumbing to climate change. Seeing the earth from space though is a feat that, unfortunately, most of us will never accomplish. We have to rely on Astronaut Thomas Pesquet and the other brave women and men astronauts to provide [...]

Peste des petits ruminants (PPR) or sheep and goat plague is a highly contagious animal disease affecting small ruminants. An estimated 300 million families who rely on small ruminants, such as sheep and goats, as a source of food and income are at risk of losing their livelihoods and may be forced to migrate, particularly in areas where food insecurity, other resource shortages [...]

Women and children, especially pregnant women and children 0-2 years of age, are among the groups most vulnerable to food insecurity and chronic malnutrition. This is no different in Mozambique where, according to the FAO Technical Secretariat for Food Security and Nutrition 35% of the population is food insecure and 43% of children under 5 are chronically malnourished. Chronic undernutrition levels [...]

Schools are an ideal setting for teaching basic skills in food, nutrition and health. In many communities, they may be the only place where children acquire these important life skills. Primary schools, in particular, are suitable vehicles for nutrition education. They not only influence children but also target girls, who tend to leave schools earlier. Nutrition lessons can be simple, [...]

More with less. This is the challenge and the mantra for our future. There will be many more of us in the years to come. We will go from a population of 7.6 billion today to 9.8 billion in 2050; yet, with our current rate of usage, there will be less fresh water, less arable soil, less available land for [...]

All over the world, holidays mean the return of certain specialties: Olivier salad for New Year’s in Russia, Red bean porridge for solstice in Korea, Haleem for Ramadan in India and the Middle East, Mince pies for Christmas in England, Pogača bread for Orthodox Easter, Banana cakes for Lunar New Year in Vietnam. Whatever the holiday is and wherever in [...]

One person has curly hair; one person has straight hair. One person tans, another burns. One person can curl her lip, another can’t. This is all because of our genes and the differences in them. Diversity. It is the spice of life.  

27-year-old Amiat Ahmed and her two-year-old son live with Amiat’s parents in the South Wollo Zone of Amhara Region, Ethiopia. Like many other young people in her region, Amiat used to feel that there were limited opportunities to earn income in her village, which led to her decision to migrate to Saudi Arabia.  

Biodiversity may sound complicated, but it’s a fairly simple concept: the existence of many different types of plants and animals makes the world a healthier and more productive place. A mix of genetics, species and habitats allows Earth’s ecosystems to keep up with challenges like population growth and climate change. Biodiversity is important to us because it plays a crucial [...]

What does William Shakespeare have in common with Mexican beekeeper Francisco Lenin Bartolo Reyes? Both men understand the importance of the honey bee, a small but invaluable ally of the human race.

Youth around the world are increasingly turning away from agriculture. Traditionally requiring tough manual labour and offering low wages, agriculture does not often appeal to new generations who generally prefer to try their luck finding jobs in cities.  

The latest edition of The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World will be launched on Monday 15 July 2019 during a special event on the [...]

A review of FAO’s fight against hunger and malnutrition and challenges ahead with the participation of José Graziano da Silva, Director-General of FAO. 

Where: Sheikh Zayed Centre at FAO headquarters 

When: Friday, 26th [...]

The 2019 Report of the Technical Cooperation Programme (TCP) examines the role of the TCP to deliver FAO technical assistance for agriculture, food and nutrition in response to countries’ most [...]

The farmers will offer seasonal fresh fruits and vegetables to around 3000 people - including employees, contractors, delegates and visitors - that enter the FAO headquarters every day.

Centro Agroalimentare [...]

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FAO will attend the fourth Annual Strategic Consultation with the Government of Japan on Tuesday 21 January 2020, in Tokyo, Japan. The objective is to review the progress of [...]

Brush up on hot topics with these five FAO titles. Browse through the language versions using the top right-hand language bar to discover different titles.

To keep up to date [...]

Buy fresh and seasonal produce at the Farmers’ Market on
Wednesday 26 February from 12.00 – 16.00 hours, and be sure to visit the [...]

FAO email newsletters have sparked great interest across the Organization in the last few years, with over 2 million emails sent out in 2018 and over 3 million last year.

Corporate newsletters cover approximately 100 [...]

Bisti Badlands’ bizarre eggs bring a bit of Easter to the New Mexico desert

Autumn Ray's goal: 59 national parks before she turns 40 in four years

An independent survey finds that although NPS's annual budget is around $3 billion, Americans are willing to pay much more

Early conservation research and scientific expeditions laid the groundwork and helped to convince the public national parks were a good idea

These parks are less popular, but no less spectacular

For the first time, the indigenous community is allowed to gather the cherished plant on protected land