Uloma Mezie-Osuocha

The future of family farming
Family Farming

Discussion Why is family farming persisting? Hybrid event 23 January 2024 2 pm to 5 pm (Rome time) FAO HQ and Zoom In the complex scenario of agrifood systems increasingly threatened by interconnected and mutually reinforcing challenges, the often-predicted disappearance of family farmers appears both unrealistic and undesirable, given the productive, social, cultural, and environmental functions that this production model provides. Small-scale family farmers indeed continue to exist and develop innovative,

FAO and YenKasa Africa participatory video training in agri-food systems and digital environments
Rural Communication Services

In November 2023, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) joined hands with several organizations to host a groundbreaking 5-day virtual training workshop on participatory video for Africa in November 2023. This event, attended by over 30 participants from different farmers’ organizations, academia, and advocacy groups, marked a significant step toward harnessing the potential of PV as a tool for sustainable development. Most of the participants came from countries with

Sahel farmers embrace innovative technologies to boost agriculture
Family Farming

In a promising development for Sahel farmers, a recent monitoring mission by the National Council for Rural Consultation and Cooperation (CNCR) of Senegal revealed the successful adoption of new production technologies in the Niakhar municipality of the Louga region and the Ouarkhokh municipality of the Fatick region of Senegal. As part of the Sustain Sahel project, the CNCR team visited six relay producers who are putting these research-backed techniques into

Access to water opens new possibilities for women in northern Ghana
Family Farming

The Upper East region of Ghana is one of the country’s driest and poorest. The long dry season means those that live there often rely on dugouts to provide water for crop production, tree growing, and livestock which run dry early into the season. Further, the intense dry contributes to wildfires which spread throughout grasslands threatening crops and forest landscapes. Shifting rainfall patterns in the face of climate change have

September 29: The International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste
Resilience and climate change

In the heart of Africa, where agriculture forms the lifeblood of communities and the backbone of economies, there exists a paradox. While the continent has vast agricultural potential and is home to diverse ecosystems and abundant natural resources, it faces a staggering challenge: food loss and waste. As we mark Food Loss and Waste Day 2023 with the theme “Reducing food loss and waste: Taking Action to Transform Food Systems“,

The Processed Rice of Senegal: The Epic Journey of UJAK’s Women
Family Farming

In the latest installment of our weekly column, “Gems of Family Farms,” we delve into the agricultural riches of Senegal to uncover a unique and inspiring story. Senegal, a land of traditions and innovations, offers us an epic tale revolving around rice, driven by the bold and determined women of UJAK. The Union of Young Farmers of Koyli Wirnde (UJAK) is an organization founded in 1987. Initially focused on marketing

Save the date: Strengthening small-scale farmers and producer organizations’ capacities through farmer field schools on forestry and agroforestry
Producers' Organizations

Join this hybrid seminar to learn about the importance of the strategic mobilization and scaling-up of forestry and agroforestry extension and capacity building for producer organizations, smallholders and forest communities to enhance sustainable forestry and food production. This seminar draws upon the ongoing NFO-NSP collaboration to strengthen the capacities of small-scale farmers and producer organizations through farmer field schools (FFS). The event will highlight insights gained on how FFS on

International Youth Day 2023: Green Skills for Youth, paving the Path Towards a Sustainable World
Gender and youth

The significance of sustainability and environmental consciousness cannot be overstated in our rapidly changing world. Climate change poses unprecedented challenges, and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) has become a global imperative. As we strive to create a greener, more sustainable world, the role of youth in agriculture and their green skills take center stage. On International Youth Day 2023 (12 August), the theme “Green Skills for Youth: Towards a

International Day of Desertification and Drought 2023: Her Land. Her Rights
Resilience and climate change

This year’s International Day of Desertification and Drought, marked on 17th June by the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) and the international community, illuminates the pressing issue of women’s land rights and their contributions towards combating desertification and drought under the theme, “Her Land. Her Rights”. Women, representing nearly half of the world’s agricultural workforce, play a pivotal role in maintaining the health and sustainability of our lands.