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FAO Newsroom RSS
News from the UN Food and Agriculture Organization
Copyright 2009 FAO
Pakistan farmers need wheat seed fast
September marks the start of the wheat planting season in Pakistan where floods covering land half the size of Italy have wiped out much of the country's household wheat seed stocks. FAO calls for donors to focus attentions on making sure those poor farmers in a position to plant wheat are given the means to do so, or millions will face hunger.
Author FAO-Newsroom@fao.org (FAO-Newsroom)
Tue, 31 Aug 2010 22:00:00 GMT
FAO Goodwill Ambassadors Carl Lewis and Anggun join in push for action on the Millennium Development Goals
FAO Goodwill Ambassadors Carl Lewis (athlete, USA) and Anggun (singer, Indonesia)have been named by the United Nations as MDG Champions. The announcement was made today at UN headquarters in New York. They will be joining other celebrities in support of the MDG Summit to be held in New York on 22 September 2010.
Author FAO-Newsroom@fao.org (FAO-Newsroom)
Tue, 31 Aug 2010 22:00:00 GMT
Wheat sends food prices up
Higher wheat prices drove international food prices up five percent last month in the biggest monthly increase since November 2009, FAO announced. The FAO Food Price Index (FFPI) averaged 176 points in August, up nearly nine points from July. That was its highest level since September 2008, but it was still 38 percent down from its peak in June 2008.
Author FAO-Newsroom@fao.org (FAO-Newsroom)
Mon, 30 Aug 2010 22:00:00 GMT
Focus on lowland farming yields multiple benefits in Liberia
The fertile lowlands that cover one-fifth of Liberia are part of a European Union and FAO-supported plan to cut the nation’s dependence on rice imports and improve the livelihood of vulnerable farmer families.
Author FAO-Newsroom@fao.org (FAO-Newsroom)
Wed, 25 Aug 2010 23:00:00 GMT
Building skills to boost Liberia’s rice crop
In Liberia, the EU and FAO work with the government and the UN Joint Programme for Food Security and Nutrition, aiming to provide emergency assistance to food-insecure households while also building the long-term capacity of Liberians to improve their livelihoods. The programme is working with both men’s and women’s farmer cooperatives.
Author FAO-Newsroom@fao.org (FAO-Newsroom)
Wed, 25 Aug 2010 22:00:00 GMT
Brazilian President blows whistle on hunger
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has joined a global anti-hunger campaign organized by FAO, signing his name to FAO’s “1billionhungry” international petition to end hunger. Nearly half a million people worldwide have so far signed the petition and the goal is to obtain a million signatures by the end of November when a meeting of FAO's governing Council is scheduled.
Author FAO-Newsroom@fao.org (FAO-Newsroom)
Wed, 25 Aug 2010 22:00:00 GMT
Somalia humanitarian crisis eases
The number of people needing humanitarian assistance in Somalia has dropped by 25 percent to 2 million in the last six months according to a report by the Nairobi-based Food Security and Nutrition Analysis Unit of the UN's Food and Agricultural Organization. But the gains could easily be reversed if next season's rains are poor.
Author FAO-Newsroom@fao.org (FAO-Newsroom)
Sun, 22 Aug 2010 22:00:00 GMT
Millions of livestock dead or in danger in Pakistan
Millions of livestock have been affected by the floods in Pakistan and are badly in need of food and medicine. Around 200 000 cows, sheep, buffalo, goats and donkeys have been confirmed as dead or missing but the final numbers will be higher, possibly into the millions. The entire poultry stock has been wiped out in some areas. Millions of surviving animals are now facing severe feed shortages.
Author FAO-Newsroom@fao.org (FAO-Newsroom)
Thu, 19 Aug 2010 22:00:00 GMT
U.S. and FAO continue joint battle against infectious disease threats
The United States Agency for International Development is renewing its support of FAO's efforts to combat highly pathogenic avian influenza and other emerging infectious diseases, the UN agency announced today. USAID's commitment totals US$26.3 million. The funds will support FAO technical assistance to strengthen HPAI surveillance and outbreak response capacities in regions where the disease still persists.
Author FAO-Newsroom@fao.org (FAO-Newsroom)
Tue, 17 Aug 2010 08:00:00 GMT
Locust swarms threaten agriculture in Madagascar
Madagascar is at risk of a significant plague of crop-eating locusts, FAO warned today. Immature swarms of locusts have moved out of the country's south-western corner and have begun to spread east and north, as far as Maintirano. A major control campaign will be necessary starting in advance of the upcoming rainy season to stop their numbers from growing and prevent a plague.
Author FAO-Newsroom@fao.org (FAO-Newsroom)
Thu, 12 Aug 2010 09:00:00 GMT
Urgent help needed for flood-stricken Pakistan farmers
As efforts continue to save the lives of Pakistanis stricken by monsoon floodwaters, FAO warns of serious threats to the livelihoods and food security of millions. Almost 14 million people are reported to have been directly affected by the disaster and numbers are rising. The devastation left by flood waters in the north and centre of the country may worsen as they continue to head southward.
Author FAO-Newsroom@fao.org (FAO-Newsroom)
Wed, 11 Aug 2010 09:00:00 GMT
FAO launches NASA-developed fire monitoring system
FAO today has launched a new online portal on fire information and real time monitoring to help countries to control fire effectively and protect property and natural resources. The new Global Fire Information Management System (GFIMS) detects fire hotspots from satellites operated by the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).
Author FAO-Newsroom@fao.org (FAO-Newsroom)
Wed, 11 Aug 2010 07:00:00 GMT
Zimbabwe food security improves
Although the food security situation in Zimbabwe has improved significantly following government efforts and a $70 million international assistance programme that provided farmers with subsidized inputs, the country will still be in need of agricultural and food assistance next year for some 1.68 million people.
Author FAO-Newsroom@fao.org (FAO-Newsroom)
Tue, 10 Aug 2010 09:00:00 GMT
Hotter nights threaten food security - rice at risk
Production of rice - the world's most important crop for ensuring food security and addressing poverty - will be thwarted as temperatures increase in rice-growing areas with continued climate change, according to a new study by an international team of scientists.
Author FAO-Newsroom@fao.org (FAO-Newsroom)
Mon, 09 Aug 2010 19:00:00 GMT
FAO cuts wheat production forecast but considers supplies adequate
The impact of unfavourable weather events on crops in recent weeks has led FAO to cut its global wheat production forecast for 2010 to 651 million tons, from 676 million tonnes reported in June. But despite production problems in some leading exporting countries, fears of a new global food crisis are not justified at this point.
Author FAO-Newsroom@fao.org (FAO-Newsroom)
Wed, 04 Aug 2010 00:00:00 GMT
Growing poplars for food security
Around one million people in Siyang County, China, are now enjoying benefits from the capacity of poplar forests to restore marginal flood plains stabilizing the banks of the Yellow, Huai and Yangtze rivers. Poplar trees protect fields from floods, wind, sandstorms and soil erosion which gives boost to agricultural activities and improves rural livelihoods.
Author FAO-Newsroom@fao.org (FAO-Newsroom)
Tue, 03 Aug 2010 22:00:00 GMT
Anti-hunger signatories surpass 250 000
More than 250 000 people have already signed an FAO petition on the 1billionhungry.org website calling on governments to make the elimination of hunger their top priority as the eye-catching campaign spreads across the globe.
Author FAO-Newsroom@fao.org (FAO-Newsroom)
Mon, 02 Aug 2010 22:00:00 GMT
Nutrient-rich algae from Chad could help fight malnutrition
Dihé, a nutrient-rich indigenous produce holds out the hope of a better life for the impoverished women who harvest it on the edges of Lake Chad, and may also one day make a contribution to fighting malnutrition. An FAO-EU project is helping the women gather and process a local variety of the blue-green algae Spirulina.
Author FAO-Newsroom@fao.org (FAO-Newsroom)
Wed, 28 Jul 2010 22:00:00 GMT
Namibia prevented spread of Rift Valley Fever, saved lives
FAO Director-General Jacques Diouf has praised Namibia for acting swiftly and effectively to halt the spread of Rift Valley Fever (RVF) in the country during recent outbreaks. Alertness and prompt reactions by national livestock bodies prevented potentially devastating consequences on lives, livelihoods and food security.
Author FAO-Newsroom@fao.org (FAO-Newsroom)
Tue, 27 Jul 2010 22:00:00 GMT
Improved disease prevention in animal health could save billions of dollars
Governments could save billions of dollars by stepping up the prevention and control of high impact animal diseases, some of which pose a direct threat to human health. Many other animal diseases have a negative impact on people's livelihoods.
Author FAO-Newsroom@fao.org (FAO-Newsroom)
Sun, 25 Jul 2010 22:00:00 GMT
Jatropha - a bioenergy crop for the poor
Using the energy crop jatropha for biodiesel production could benefit poor farmers, particularly in semi-arid and remote areas of developing countries. But expecting jatropha to substitute significantly for oil imports in developing countries is unrealistic.
Author FAO-Newsroom@fao.org (FAO-Newsroom)
Wed, 21 Jul 2010 22:00:00 GMT
Coping with raiding elephants and hippos
A toolkit produced by FAO is designed to help resolve, prevent and mitigate the growing problem of conflict between humans and wild animals. With the world's population growing at some 75 million a year, humans and wildlife are having to squeeze ever more tightly together, thereby increasing the risk of conflict between them.
Author FAO-Newsroom@fao.org (FAO-Newsroom)
Sun, 18 Jul 2010 22:00:00 GMT
Haiti: six months on, agriculture needs more support
While timely food assistance and agricultural inputs helped avert a post-earthquake food crisis in Haiti, insufficient funding for agriculture continues to hamstring efforts to improve food security and local food production.
Author FAO-Newsroom@fao.org (FAO-Newsroom)
Wed, 14 Jul 2010 22:00:00 GMT
Online courses on knowledge management
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) have signed a cooperation agreement to deliver jointly a series of online courses on knowledge management for developing countries. The first joint online course which is scheduled for the third quarter of 2010 covers social media tools.
Author FAO-Newsroom@fao.org (FAO-Newsroom)
Tue, 13 Jul 2010 22:00:00 GMT
Helping rural Nepalese grow more food
In 2008, as the cost of foodstuffs reached record levels, FAO launched a series of input supply projects to help farmers grow more food and earn more money. In Nepal - a country reeling from a decade-long conflict and struggling with drought-induced food shortages - this effort helped generate more resources and kept thousands of vulnerable Nepalese farmers from falling deeper into poverty and hunger.
Author FAO-Newsroom@fao.org (FAO-Newsroom)
Mon, 12 Jul 2010 22:00:00 GMT
FAO provides free access to statistics treasure trove
FAO is granting free and open access to its central data repository, FAOSTAT, the world's largest and most comprehensive statistical database on food, agriculture, and hunger, the UN agency announced today. FAOSTAT contains over one million data points covering 210 countries and territorries and is an important tool in the fight against poverty and hunger.
Author FAO-Newsroom@fao.org (FAO-Newsroom)
Thu, 08 Jul 2010 22:00:00 GMT
International experts limit Melamine levels in food
The maximum amount of melamine allowed in powdered infant formula is 1 mg/kg and the amount of the chemical allowed in other foods and animal feed is 2.5 mg/kg, according to new rulings from the United Nations' food standards body, Codex Alimentarius Commission.
Author FAO-Newsroom@fao.org (FAO-Newsroom)
Mon, 05 Jul 2010 22:00:00 GMT
Taking action to support rural women
Tackling hunger requires moving from talk to action in ensuring that women farmers have equal access to agricultural resources and an equal voice in decision making at all levels, FAO said this week, as a high-level UN meeting put gender equality and women's empowerment at the top of the agenda.
Author FAO-Newsroom@fao.org (FAO-Newsroom)
Wed, 30 Jun 2010 22:00:00 GMT
A cup of tea for food security
Developing countries that grow tea could increase income from the crop by marketing the drink more heavily at home. Other ways they could squeeze more revenue from the commodity would be to publicise the health benefits of the beverage rather than increase the size of tea plantations which would damage prices in the long run.
Author FAO-Newsroom@fao.org (FAO-Newsroom)
Sun, 27 Jun 2010 22:00:00 GMT
Seeds for 100 000 farmers in Burkina Faso
Amid a growing food crisis in the Sahel that is putting millions at risk of hunger, FAO has started providing quality seeds to 100 000 vulnerable farmers in Burkina Faso, as part of an € 18 million operation funded by the European Union (EU).
Author FAO-Newsroom@fao.org (FAO-Newsroom)
Thu, 24 Jun 2010 22:00:00 GMT
Some regulation of food futures markets desirable
Some regulation of commodities futures markets is desirable says FAO, but any intervention should be cautious and stop short of imposing tight limits or an outright ban on such trading. According to a FAO Policy Brief the worldwide rise in food prices two years ago "might have been amplified by speculators in organized futures markets. However, limiting or banning speculative trading might do more harm than good."
Author FAO-Newsroom@fao.org (FAO-Newsroom)
Tue, 22 Jun 2010 22:00:00 GMT
Alternatives to large land acquisitions in developing nations
New research shows how agricultural investments in developing nations can be structured as alternatives to large-scale land acquisitions. It documents a range of more inclusive business models that can bring benefits to small-scale farmers and protect their land rights, while also ensuring returns to companies.
Author FAO-Newsroom@fao.org (FAO-Newsroom)
Mon, 21 Jun 2010 22:00:00 GMT
Urgent assistance for 2.8 million farmers and pastoralists in Niger
FAO is stepping up support to farmers and pastoralists in Niger as part of its response to the alarming food situation in the Sahel, with new operations benefiting an estimated 2.8 million people.
Author FAO-Newsroom@fao.org (FAO-Newsroom)
Sun, 20 Jun 2010 22:00:00 GMT
Holding back the sand
A successful FAO-run project in Mauritania to fix sand dunes and stop sand encroachment has many lessons for other similar projects in the Sahel and Sahara. A manual on the project has been published by FAO to mark The World Day to Combat Desertification. Sand encroachment can bury villages, roads and oases and damage crops and irrigation infrastructure, causing economic damage and increasing poverty and food insecurity.
Author FAO-Newsroom@fao.org (FAO-Newsroom)
Wed, 16 Jun 2010 22:00:00 GMT
Higher average farm prices expected, food security concerns persist, say OECD and FAO
Farm commodity prices have fallen from their record peaks of two years ago but are unlikely to drop back to their average levels of the past decade, according to the annual joint report from the OECD and FAO. The report sees average wheat and coarse grain prices over the next 10 years between 15-40 percent higher in real terms (adjusted for inflation) than their average levels during the 1997-2006 period.
Author FAO-Newsroom@fao.org (FAO-Newsroom)
Mon, 14 Jun 2010 22:00:00 GMT
Gong Li tells fans to get mad and join the fight against hunger
Award-winning Chinese actress and FAO Goodwill Ambassador Gong Li has called on her fans to sign on to the '1billionhungry' online petition which aims to harness grassroots concern over the scale of world hunger and bring pressure to bear on world leaders to do something about it.
Author FAO-Newsroom@fao.org (FAO-Newsroom)
Tue, 08 Jun 2010 22:00:00 GMT
New fishing techniques, equipment can help sea turtles
Sea turtles have swum the seas for almost 60 million years, but decreases in their populations have many worried that long history could be coming to an end. A range of human activities imperil these gentle giants, including fishing. But fisheries is also an area where the know-how and equipment needed to reduce turtle deaths does exist. On World Oceans day, FAO is highlighting a new set of guidelines that can help.
Author FAO-Newsroom@fao.org (FAO-Newsroom)
Tue, 08 Jun 2010 06:00:00 GMT
Europe increases support for global food security
The European Union (EU) has added €13.2 million to its funding of FAO’s efforts to boost agricultural production in developing countries worst hit by high food prices. This brings the total amount of the EU "Food Facility" funds channeled through FAO to an unprecedented €228 million.
Author FAO-Newsroom@fao.org (FAO-Newsroom)
Thu, 03 Jun 2010 22:00:00 GMT
International prices of agricultural commodities drop
International prices of key food staples have dropped during the first five months of 2010 according to a new FAO report. A fall in international prices of cereals and sugar were among the main drivers behind the decline. Still, the global cost of imported foodstuffs is set to reach $921 billion in 2010, 11 percent more than in 2009 but still short of the record mark of $1 trillion set in 2008, when the food price crisis was at its peak.
Author FAO-Newsroom@fao.org (FAO-Newsroom)
Wed, 02 Jun 2010 22:00:00 GMT
Wheat rust tracking site launched
As reports that a virulent variant of Ug99 has been found in South Africa, FAO makes tracking the wheat disease easier with a new portal for farmers, scientists and policy makers. The agency's Rust SPORE system aims to deliver up-to-date information on the status of wheat stem rust, monitor new strains of the disease, and provide easy access to reliable data on a global scale.
Author FAO-Newsroom@fao.org (FAO-Newsroom)
Tue, 01 Jun 2010 22:00:00 GMT
FAO urges early action on climate change responses
Agriculture can potentially be part of the solution to climate change in ways that respect and support the development and food security requirements of developing countries, according to FAO. But to realize this potential, systematic and dedicated discussions and decisions are needed.
Author FAO-Newsroom@fao.org (FAO-Newsroom)
Mon, 31 May 2010 22:00:00 GMT
Lack of cash threatens Chad relief effort
Lack of funds is jeopardizing FAO emergency operations in Chad where two million people risk hunger after drought and pest infestations slashed food production. FAO has only been able to mobilize $2.0 million of the $11.8 million it requested last November for agricultural emergency operations in the country as part of a UN inter-agency appeal.
Author FAO-Newsroom@fao.org (FAO-Newsroom)
Mon, 24 May 2010 22:00:00 GMT
Italy donates to food gene pact
Italy has announced a contribution of 1.2 million euros ($1.46 million) to compensate some of the world’s poorest farmers for conserving and propagating crop varieties that could prove to be the saviour of global food security over the coming decades.
Author FAO-Newsroom@fao.org (FAO-Newsroom)
Fri, 21 May 2010 08:00:00 GMT
A boost to half of Lesotho’s rural farmers
Soaring food prices and the recent global economic downturn struck Lesotho hard. The European Union and FAO, in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (MAFS), are assisting over 36 000 farmers in Lesotho, more than half of its vulnerable farmers.
Author FAO-Newsroom@fao.org (FAO-Newsroom)
Tue, 18 May 2010 22:00:00 GMT
Virtual FAO learning course adopted by top Spanish university
An innovative FAO online learning program has been incorporated into the curriculum of Spain's Universitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC), marking the first time that an FAO virtual learning course can be used by students to earn a recognized academic certificate and college credits.
Author FAO-Newsroom@fao.org (FAO-Newsroom)
Mon, 17 May 2010 22:00:00 GMT
Economic crisis threatens Europe’s progress on hunger – action needed
With Agriculture playing a key role, the Europe and Central Asia region has achieved striking success in fighting poverty and food insecurity over the last ten years. But the international financial and economic crisis could threaten that process.
Author FAO-Newsroom@fao.org (FAO-Newsroom)
Wed, 12 May 2010 22:00:00 GMT
Patrick Vieira named FAO Goodwill Ambassador
Fao has appointed international soccer star Patrick Vieira as a Goodwill Ambassador to speak up for the organisation its its fight against hunger. The Senegalese-born French footballer was nominated for the honor today by FAO Director General Jacques Diouf during the launch on May 11 of the 1billionhungry project, a global petition against hunger in the world.
Author FAO-Newsroom@fao.org (FAO-Newsroom)
Wed, 12 May 2010 22:00:00 GMT
FAO launches anti-hunger petition
FAO today unveiled a major online petition calling on people to get angry at the fact that close to a billion people suffer from hunger. Using a whistle as a campaign icon and an innovative online petition as a campaigning tool, “The 1billionhungry project” gives people around the globe the chance to express their discontent that in the 21st century remains a widespread problem.
Author FAO-Newsroom@fao.org (FAO-Newsroom)
Tue, 11 May 2010 13:00:00 GMT
Shedding light on child labour in fisheries
More attention should be paid to the plight of child workers in the fisheries sector, according to a group of experts convened by FAO and the International Labour Organization to study the problem. Some 132 million girls and boys aged 5 to 14 years old work in agriculture - child workers in fisheries and aquaculture are lumped into that total. Because hard data on child labour in fisheries is lacking, policy-makers face challenges in tackling it.
Author FAO-Newsroom@fao.org (FAO-Newsroom)
Sun, 09 May 2010 22:00:00 GMT
African food security needs urgent, undivided attention
Africa's food security situation requires urgent and undivided attention, according to FAO Director-General Jacques Diouf. Underinvestment in agriculture is the core reason for hunger and malnutrition,which affected 265 million people or 30 percent of the population of sub-Saharan Africa last year.
Author FAO-Newsroom@fao.org (FAO-Newsroom)
Wed, 05 May 2010 22:00:00 GMT
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