Khilamaya Nepali stands in her parcel of land, observing a fly trap among her bitter gourd plants. She confidently explains that the trap, using a specific chemical, captures male flies to control their population, a method learned in her farmer field school. She takes pride in her skills and her participation in this initiative. The farmer field schools are part of the Building a Resilient Churia Region in Nepal project, funded by the Green Climate Fund and implemented by the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations (FAO) with the Government of Nepal, aimed at empowering farmers to address climate-related agricultural challenges.

From the highest cloud forest in the Andes to one of the smallest fish in a Chilean river, biodiversity is the invisible thread that ties ecosystems together and sustains agricultural production and food security. Biodiversity is crucial for ecosystems and agricultural production, especially in Latin America and the Caribbean, which host about 50% of the world’s primary forests. These forests play vital roles in carbon sequestration. However, biodiversity is declining due to human activities and climate change. The agrifood sector depends on biodiversity for services like soil health, pest control, and pollination. Acknowledging this, three GEF-funded FAO projects are dedicated to conserving and restoring ecosystems in Brazil, Chile, and Venezuela.

Mute'e, a Yemeni farmer, dreams of better living conditions for his family, while Yemen’s rural population faces ongoing conflict, climate challenges, and limited resources.

In Yucatan, women are transforming beekeeping into a powerful tool for environmental conservation, financial independence, and community sisterhood through the ancient practice of meliponiculture.

Potatoes are more than just a staple of many diets—they play a vital role in ending hunger, promoting sustainable agriculture, and supporting small-scale family farmers. The International Day of the Potato (30 May), under the theme “Shaping History, Feeding the Future”, highlights the crop’s deep historical and cultural significance over millennia. Get involved in spreading the word about the power of the potato! Promote its contributions, support the conservation of its rich diversity, and advocate for stronger value chains for a more sustainable future.

Tea is the world’s most consumed drink, after water. It is believed to have originated in northeast India, north Myanmar and southwest China, with evidence of its consumption in China dating back 5,000 years. This year, International Tea Day (21 May) highlights tea’s vital role in livelihoods, sustainability, and well-being. It is also an opportunity to celebrate the cultural heritage, health benefits and economic importance of tea, while working to make its production sustainable “from field to cup” ensuring its benefits for people, cultures and the environment continue for generations.

Our planet sustains all life by providing clean air, water, and food. Rural communities, including farmers, fishers, and herders, recognize that their well-being is connected to the health of the earth. Diverse ecosystems support food production and economic prosperity. To support these communities, the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) collaborates with governments to finance sustainable projects, investing $4 billion in sustainable land management and $1.4 billion in climate finance since 2000. From 2018 to 2023, 70% of IFAD projects focused on conserving biodiversity, and 60% promoted agroecological practices. These initiatives empower rural people to care for the environment while benefiting from its resources.

Lutfi Çetin, an expert in rust research with over 30 years of experience, is inspecting wheat fields in Türkiye, where the threat of rust infections looms large. Wheat is crucial for food security in Central Asia and the Caucasus, but airborne fungal diseases known as wheat rusts—such as yellow, leaf, and stem rust—pose a significant global threat, destroying up to 15 million tonnes of grain annually. These rust strains, which have evolved and spread more rapidly than in the past, require effective long-term management through surveillance and the development of disease-resistant wheat varieties. In response to this challenge, a coalition of scientists, farmers, and governments from several Central Asian countries, supported by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and Türkiye, is working together to strengthen defenses against these pathogens.

Plant health is the foundation of food security and is thus at the core of the One Health approach. FAO and the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) are taking action to protect plant health by promoting sustainable agricultural practices, healthy soils and water, and by promoting plant health standards for safe trade.

In the countries of the Central American Integration System (SICA) lies the Dry Corridor, considered one of the most vulnerable ecoregions to climate variability and change. It is characterized by long periods of drought with rising temperatures or intense rainfall. People dependent on agriculture are the most affected socially, economically, and environmentally, with serious consequences for their food security and nutrition. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) works with Central American governments to promote innovative solutions that support the work, leadership, and knowledge of women and men in preparing, alongside their rural communities, to face climate change, the degradation of natural resources, and limited access to technology and innovation — all key to achieving inclusive rural development, thus strengthening resilience and improving livelihoods.

A new silk farming industry is emerging in Mukono, Uganda, managed by Waiswa Aggrey Mubeerwa for the Seres Textile Company Limited. Established in 2019, the facility awaits the arrival of an extracting machine to begin exporting silk. This initiative is part of a South-South Cooperation (SSC) project implemented by FAO, working with the Ugandan government and China's Ministry of Agriculture. Uganda's climate is ideal for mulberry trees, the sole food for silkworms. With proper training and resources, farmers can significantly increase their income, as a kilogram of silk can earn around USD 50 in China. By the end of 2024, the project had distributed 200,000 mulberry cuttings and trained 44 farmers. The SSC project aims to enhance agricultural productivity across Uganda, benefiting 70,000 farmers in various sectors, transitioning from subsistence farming to commercial operations essential for poverty alleviation.

In Nawalpur District, Nepal, a group of women in Binayi Triveni, led by Meena Poudel, is transforming forest management into a thriving local economy. By clearing underbrush that previously contributed to wildfires, they have significantly reduced forest fire incidents by 70% over the past year. Meena serves as the Secretary of the Binayi Community Forest User Group, which focuses on responsible forest stewardship. Their efforts have led to the production of over 60,000 kilograms of organic fertilizer annually, with plans to more than double that output. This initiative represents a proactive approach to environmental challenges, turning risks into economic opportunities.

Givi Chubinidze, a winemaker from Georgia's Imereti region, carries on his family's winemaking tradition, which has been passed down for generations. His ancestors cultivated indigenous grape varieties like tsitska, krakhuna, and adanasuri, and Givi named his wines Nanua after an ancestor who served as a royal wine-cellar keeper. Currently, he cultivates around 120 endemic grapevine varieties on his land to adapt to climate change, believing these grapes embody Georgia's cultural heritage. In 2024, Givi received a matching grant from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) through the European Neighbourhood Program for Agriculture and Rural Development (ENPARD) to enhance his wine production by integrating modern food safety standards with traditional methods, aiding rural development and food safety in the region.

Mireille, Eloi, and Daniel transformed their agricultural businesses in Benin by utilizing RuralInvest for growth and funding.

On the global market, the asaí berry is widely promoted as a superfood, brimming with antioxidants that boost the immune system, protect cellular integrity and alleviate inflammation. However, for the Porvenir Indigenous Peoples’ community in Bolivia, the asaí palm is worth so much more than its fruits’ nutritional and health benefits. These trees are a precious natural resource that sustains their livelihoods and their environments. Before, the community harvested the asaí palm by chopping down entire trees for their fibrous cores, which were processed and sold as heart of palm. Now, thanks to asaí berry production, the community has eliminated the need to cut down palm trees, protecting both the species and their future earnings.