In the mountainous Tokushima region of Japan, farmers have grown local varieties of millet, vegetables and other crops for more than 400 years. But in recent times, the cultivation of millets almost died out. Only the love of a farmer in Nishi-Awa helped save a local variety of finger millet from vanishing completely. The Nishi-Awa site is remarkable because, on extremely steep slopes normally deemed unsuitable for agriculture, farmers derived an innovative way of cultivating indigenous varieties of crops without converting the land into terraced fields. The United Nations officially designated 2023 as the to raise awareness of their nutritional and health benefits.
Our current agrifood systems impose huge hidden costs on our health, the environment and society, equivalent to at least $10 trillion a year, according to an by the covering 154 countries. This represents almost 10% of the global GDP. More than 70% of those hidden costs are driven by unhealthy diets that might lead to obesity and non-communicable diseases. Low-income countries are proportionately the hardest hit by this situation. The report urges governments to use true cost accounting to transform agrifood systems to address the climate crisis, poverty, inequality and food security.
A that the hidden costs from how we produce, transport, process and consume food are at least 10 trillion dollars a year.
Fatmata Binta Jalloh is a gender and youth expert working with Sierra Leone's Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security. She helps rural women by providing them with access to technical training, inputs, and other opportunities to help them maximize their agricultural activities. Fatmata, along with Foday Kamara, the director of a local NGO that supports youth and women's empowerment, took part in a project implemented jointly by the and the NGO Solidaridad. The programme aimed to equip both women and men with the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed in the agricultural sector, while also strengthening the position of rural women and enabling them to participate in decision-making processes.
Transforming agrifood systems will contribute not only to eradicating poverty, ending hunger and improving nutrition, but also ensure that they are more efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable.
is a relatively new practice in Timor-Leste, centred on minimum soil disturbance, maintenance of a permanent soil cover, and diversification of plant species. Despite facing resistance from farmers like Joaquim, and partners supported farmers, who were willing to adopt this technique. These efforts paid off after a few years of implementation with increased land utilization rates, more fertile and productive soil. Joaquim, now an avid advocate of CA has produced enough food to support his family. The practice also has great appeal for farmers, because it does away with the need for ploughing, ending some of the hard manual labor involved in farming.
is raising awareness and fostering concrete actions to improve safety and health for workers in the coffee supply chain through its campaign.
An International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) expert talks about the challenge of obesity; a Technical Specialist on Nutrition discusses how food inflation impacts diets. Lastly, we chat with IFAD鈥檚 Director for Food Systems Coordination Nadine Gbossa to discuss the nutritional challenges of Guyana鈥檚 indigenous communities.
From 27 to 29 September 2023, is organizing its first-ever . This event will provide a forum for FAO Members, farmers, universities, agricultural scientists, mechanization service providers, development agencies, and other actors for dialogues to prioritize actions and strengthen technical networks for sustainable development of agricultural mechanization.
Located at two hours鈥 drive east of Lagos, Nigeria鈥檚 sprawling business capital, Eriwe farm village is the site of one of the countries鈥 biggest catfish clusters. Along the banks of a little river lie the ponds of nearly 600 fish farmers, organized in cooperatives as part of the Eriwe fishers鈥 union. These farmers produced some 2,000 tonnes of catfish in 2022. Mary Stephens and her husband also have a few ponds in Eriwe farm village. But their main business is fish processing. FISH4ACP, a global fish value chain development programme in partnership between , the EU and others, is helping Nigeria to make its catfish sector stronger. Mary hopes to get a machine to replace some of their manual work.
Not only are healthy diets crucial for children's development and wellbeing, but the is part of the right to food too.
Reducing food loss and waste is vital as global hunger has steadily increased since 2014. Approximately 13% of food is lost from harvest to retail, and 17% of global food production is wasted in households, food service, and retail. The 2023 International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste (29 September), themed ", urges public and private sectors to prioritize innovative actions in reducing food loss and waste for more resilient and sustainable food systems. with 鈥檚 message and !
Water issues have always been crucial for Odina鈥檚 district in Uzbekistan, and they were highly dependent on water sources coming from neighboring Kyrgyzstan. Farmers would have to wait for her or his turn to use the water to irrigate their land from the few existing canals. introduced the 鈥溾 project which provides simple innovations in water management, pest control and greenhouse improvements. With these new skills and practices, Odina has grown her tomato business into a thriving small enterprise and receives two to three times her previous income. When farming becomes "smart" and incomes become sustainable, confidence in the future increases.
The waters that surround the Small Island Developing States (SIDS) of the Pacific are home to remarkable marine ecosystems. The fish and other marine species they host are deeply intertwined with many Pacific peoples鈥 cultures, livelihoods and food. But while the communities of these islands continue to consume fish in significant quantities, the diversity of Islanders鈥 diets is declining, and their nutrition is deteriorating. So, what are some new approaches and innovations that can help reverse this trend? A report by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations () and WorldFish has some suggestions. .
Increasing shocks from climate change, a global water crisis, loss of biodiversity, and other challenges continue to drive food insecurity and force more people into hunger. is taking a multi-faceted approach which focuses simultaneously on production, supporting vulnerable households with emergency and resiliency programs, and investing in sustainable food and nutrition. The current approach of responding to food crises through short-term measures is making a difference, it is critical to accelerate the transformation of the global food system