United Nations Food And Agriculture Organisation
latest news & developmentsThe Year of the Locust
About 25 years ago, Baldwyn Torto and his team taught themselves to talk to locusts. Now, Simon Allison brings you the story of the swarms eating their way across the continent
Farming in South Africa is under threat from climate change. Here’s how
The impact of climate change on agriculture and food production is clear: the sector will suffer. Here’s what needs to be done
Bedrock of food security destroyed
Ecosystem destruction by human activities has reduced plant varieties and other life — and the ability to survive
North Korea admits farming failures amid food shortages
North Korea was one of 40 countries identified by the FAO as in need of external assistance for food
Poor practices put chicken industry in danger
Poor practices in the industry lead to disease, use of antibiotics and contamination of water and soil
A temporary break from food riots
Although food prices have continued to rise, riots because of this fact have been almost non-existent as people have generally suffered in silence.
Productivity must increase by 70% to feed the world
A UN report has found that 25% of all land is highly degraded and warns the trend must be reversed if the world’s growing population is to be fed.
UN: World food prices hit new record
World food prices hit a new record high in January after rising for a seventh consecutive month, the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation says.
UN: Global hunger declines for first time in 15 years
The number of undernourished people around the world has declined by nearly 10% in the last year, the UN food agency said on Tuesday.
UN: Global crisis pushes 100-million into hunger
The global economic crisis will help push 100-million people into poverty this year through lost jobs and lower earnings, a UN agency said on Friday.
Just a spoonful of fertiliser …
A technique pioneered by African agricultural scientists has helped boost crop yields in exhausted and ancient soils.
Rising prices tip another 75-million towards starvation
Global numbers afflicted by acute hunger rose from 850-million to 925-million by the start of 2008 because of rising prices, the UN’s FAO says.
Watering Malawi’s farms
Malwi’s irrigation programme, which began in January, is already showing signs of success and is encouraging crop diversification.