Spotlight

Listening to change: FAO-supported rural radio initiatives boost climate action
Communication and ICTs

WATCH: Rural radio: Listening to change (WRD 2025) LISTEN: 80 ans de la FAO / Les radios rurales: des ondes qui rapprochent les communauté (in French) As the world marks World Radio Day 2025 on 13 February under the theme Radio and Climate Change, it is worth reflecting on the fundamental role of radio in rural communication. Climate change is one of the greatest challenges of our time, disrupting food systems, natural resources, livelihoods

The Digital Agri Hub-Cultivating Tomorrow’s Agriculture : The Ultimate Digital Solutions Reference Hub
Communication and ICTs

The Digital Agri Hub is a good public initiative developed and maintained by Wageningen University and Research (WUR). The Hub tracks the evolution of the digital agriculture (D4Ag) ecosystem in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). In collaboration with sectoral stakeholders, the Hub regularly publishes new insights and updates on important developments in the domain of digital agriculture. At the core of the Hub rests a database with a queryable dashboard currently featuring more than 1250 digital solutions deployed across LMICs. The site is available in English, French and Spanish. The

Facing down drought in Zimbabwe with irrigation
Resilience and climate change

This year, the rains were late in Zimbabwe. Because of El Niño, many maize farmers were left without the water they needed during the crucial growing season in February. The next rainy season, from October to December, is also likely to be drier than usual. With crop failures anticipated across the country, about 6 million people are expected to be food insecure. This is not the first time El Niño has brought food

African Youth Participate in Formation Sessions in South Africa, Ethiopia, and Mauritius
Gender and youth

Between October and December 2024, African youth participated in various training (formation) sessions focused on global contextual analysis, political debates, social movement building, food sovereignty, and youth participation. These events, held in South Africa, Ethiopia, and Mauritius, fostered exchanges and connections to enhance and strengthen youth-driven actions for 2025 and beyond. Nkrumah School – Training of Trainers in Political Education, South Africa The first gathering occurred from September 20th to

Celebrating broadcasting excellence on World Radio Day 2025
Communication and ICTs

What: Virtual event — World Radio Day Celebration 2025 When: Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025, 8:00 a.m. Ottawa, 1:00 p.m. Accra, 2:00 p.m. Kinshasa, 4:00 p.m. Addis Ababa, Kampala, Dodoma Register now: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_W16FRHEzSJypsxoMFOnYkQ#/registration Join us on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025, to celebrate World Radio Day and honour the 2025 winners of the Farm Radio Awards! This bilingual event will feature insights from the winners of the George Atkins Communication Award and

Large-scale investment in Farmer Field Schools in Kenya helps expand farmers’ knowledge and increase their incomes
Gender and youth

For a few months now, Esther Munani Kyalo’s routine has changed. A mother of three living in the Miambani ward in Kitui county, Kenya, she has followed a new ritual every Tuesday since the Kavakaky Farmer Field School was launched. Together with around 35 other women from her area, she walks to a nearby house where the group meets and breeds chicks in the small but brand-new poultry house. Sitting

Special feature: World Fisheries Day 2024 -The role of small-scale fisheries in building a resilient future
Gender and youth

On 21 November 2024, World Fisheries Day is celebrated worldwide to highlight the vital role of fisheries in providing food, supporting livelihoods, and conserving biodiversity. This day emphasizes the importance of sustainable fishing and the responsible management of aquatic resources to ensure food security and socio-economic growth for future generations. Global fisheries and aquaculture production reached an all-time high of 223.2 million tonnes in 2022, with 185.4 million tonnes coming

Solar-powered solutions transform lives in Northern Ghana
Resilience and climate change

The long dry season—from November to April every year—used to be a hardship for the village of Kunkua in the Bolgatanga-East District of Ghana. But now, a solar-powered water system has transformed their fortunes in a remarkable way. Catastrophic climate change The northern region of Ghana is believed to be one of the most vulnerable to climate change. Longer and more frequent periods of drought have spelt disaster for the

Empowering Voices: Sustaining Interactive Radio Projects Beyond Funding Cycles
Communication and ICTs

What: Webinar When: Wednesday, Oct. 30 at 8:30 a.m. ET / 12:30 p.m. GMT / 3:30 p.m. EAT Where: Zoom *This webinar will have simultaneous translation into French. Register now A key challenge in any project often posed by funding partners is how to sustain the project and keep it going into the future long past the end date of a funding commitment. This need was our inspiration for launching

Rural Radio: Voices for Change (Global Family Farming Forum)
Communication and ICTs

The Global Family Farming Forum (15-18 October 2024) gathers global food champions to mark the Mid-Term of the UN Decade of Family Farming (UNDFF). A vital element of this event is a fully operational radio station streaming live from the FAO headquarters, reaching out to rural audiences. Experienced rural radio broadcasters from various regions will produce a special radio series, Rural Radio: Voices for Change, to amplify discussions and perspectives