A hazelnut’s shell could help save the next harvest. In Georgia, farmer Shete Kemoklidze lost US$20,000 when incorrect drying left his hazelnuts contaminated with a poisonous substance produced by fungi. With training and a grant through the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), he now uses a dryer fuelled by discarded nutshells to protect his crop and dry his neighbours’ harvests too. Funded by the European Union and Sweden, the initiative combines food safety skills with better equipment to cut losses and protect farmers’ livelihoods.
FAO
’s updated help countries make sustainable , balancing food security, biodiversity conservation, climate resilience and economic development.
What if the future of coffee depended on knowing exactly where every bean was grown? In Kenya, smallholder farmers are using digital mapping to protect their livelihoods and prove their coffee comes from deforestation-free land. With support from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), a cooperative in Nandi County mapped 1,621 coffee plots in just six weeks, using . The data helps farmers meet international trade requirements, improve farming practices and maintain access to markets, showing how technology can make agriculture more sustainable and inclusive.
’s multilingual thesaurus connects agricultural concepts across languages, helping researchers organize, share and discover scientific knowledge across disciplines and linguistic boundaries.
What once went up in smoke is now bringing new life to the soil. In western Georgia, farmer Nana Nikuradze is turning crop leftovers into natural fertilizer, reducing waste and growing healthier food for her family and community. Through training supported by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), she has embraced composting and environmentally friendly farming methods that protect beneficial insects and reduce reliance on chemicals. Her journey shows how simple changes can nurture healthier soils, strengthen rural livelihoods and turn yesterday’s waste into tomorrow’s harvest.
Through , soil analysis and fertility mapping help farmers in Guatemala and Honduras improve crop productivity, soil health and resilience to drought.
From 19–23 October, the world gathers in Rome for the 54th session of the , a global platform dedicated to tackling hunger and malnutrition and advancing the right to food. Discussions will focus on food security, coordinated responses to food crises and resilient food systems. The agenda will also address Indigenous Peoples’ food and knowledge systems, support for family farmers, and ways to empower women through equal access to resources, financing and decision-making to build more inclusive and sustainable food systems. Follow the sessions on .
The world produces enough food for all, yet 645 million people still face hunger and 2.69 billion cannot afford a healthy diet. Conflict, economic instability and climate shocks are straining agrifood systems, making access to reliable, affordable and nutritious food increasingly difficult. Under the theme “Innovate today. Nourish tomorrow”, on 16 October highlights science, technology, innovation and traditional knowledge as tools to build resilient agrifood systems that feed people today while protecting resources for future generations. Watch the ceremony on and celebrate
Innovation in food and agriculture goes beyond technology. It brings new and traditional ideas, practical solutions and shared knowledge to communities that need them most. Affordable, locally adapted approaches can help grow food, protect nature and build a better future. This , let’s innovate today and nourish tomorrow.
Cambodian farmer Sokhom Kha once faced drought without knowing what was coming. Now, forecasts give her time to protect her crops. With ten days’ warning that rain would not come, she stored water in her fields. She is among more than 4,000 farmers receiving advice through a project run by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and Cambodia’s government, financed by the Green Climate Fund. As threatens harvests, early warnings and practical guidance help families manage scarce water, reduce losses and protect their livelihoods.
On Tunisia’s Djerba island, Fattouma Ben Chagra earns a steady income making and repairing traps for blue swimming crabs. But without a pension or insurance, she fears what will happen if the catch disappears. Tunisia has turned this invasive species into an economic opportunity, yet many fishing families remain exposed to illness, bad weather and uncertain earnings. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is helping explore ways to extend social protection to fishers and fish workers, linking sustainable fisheries with the security people need to build their futures.
Reducing food loss and waste helps to protect natural resources and biodiversity, reduce pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, and maximize the use of food produced. It is therefore central to improving food security and health, securing sustainable agrifood systems, and fighting climate change. On the (29 September), we urge everyone to take action to expand and strengthen individual and collective efforts to reduce food loss and waste and help ensure a food-secure world.
In Côte d’Ivoire, Victorine Akoua farms the same land as her parents, but the rains and seasons they once relied on have changed. Facing costly loans and an unpredictable climate, she found another way forward: saving and borrowing with other women in her village. With affordable credit and training supported by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Victorine now grows vegetables using compost and other sustainable practices, earning more while feeding her family. Women like Sonia France Boa are also pooling savings, farming together and reinvesting their earnings. Their experience shows how shared finance, practical skills and solidarity can help women build livelihoods and face climate change together.
On 16 October, unites people across 150 countries to build a sustainable food future and ensure nutritious food for everyone.
Across Latin America and the Caribbean, women are strengthening food security, livelihoods and communities. In Belize, teacher Elevernie Davis has turned a school garden into a living classroom, where children learn agricultural skills while growing fresh vegetables for nutritious school meals. Some students have even started gardens at home, sharing what they learn with their families. Nearly 800 students and more than 50 teachers have been trained. From Belize to Brazil, Guatemala, Uruguay and the Dominican Republic, women are showing how knowledge and opportunity can help build more sustainable food systems. The International Year of the Woman Farmer 2026 offers a unique opportunity to place women farmers at the centre of the agrifood systems agenda and accelerate action.