Rediscovering Africa’s native foods for a sustainable agricultural renaissance
Africa’s culinary landscape is a rich tapestry of biodiversity and tradition, holding beneath its vibrant surface a treasure trove of forgotten foods. These regionally adapted crops, once central to the continent’s diverse cultures, are critical to revisit as the world tackles pressing challenges like food security, climate change and environmental sustainability. African agriculture holds a vast, untapped potential that can transform the continent’s socio-economic landscape. Rich with diverse climates and
Call for Applications: Knowledge for Green Wall Action (K4GGWA) Innovation Facility
Do you have an idea to scale up or scale out land restoration solutions? Share it with us! Are you working on innovative solutions that promote sustainable food systems and green wall actions? The Knowledge for Green Wall Action (K4GGWA) Innovation Facility is now accepting applications! Across the Sahel and the Great Green Wall region, powerful ideas like Farmer-Managed Natural Regeneration (FMNR), grazing management and land restoration have already changed lives. But
A gift for conservation helps reduce conflict between humans and wildlife
Chipo Munsaka explains that her first name means “a gift” in her language. “A gift for conserving wildlife,” the young Zimbabwean adds radiantly. That neatly sums up her commitment and contribution to addressing the growing problem of conflict between humans and wildlife. Chipo works as a Resource Monitor in northern Zimbabwe with the Mucheni Community Conservancy, which is being established with support from the Sustainable Wildlife Management (SWM) Programme. In
Harnessing innovation: FAO’s webinar series on innovative agricultural extension models in Africa
In the face of rapidly evolving agricultural challenges, the role of extension and advisory services (EAS) is more crucial than ever. Smallholder farmers, agribusinesses, and rural communities require tailored support by combining suitable EAS with inclusive rural communication services (RCS) to adopt new technologies and sustainable practices. Recognizing this need, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is launching a three-part webinar series to explore innovative extension
Rice-fish farming in the Land of Milk and Honey: South-South Cooperation is revolutionizing agriculture in Uganda
Anastasia Mwamula roots weeds from her quarter-of-an-acre paddy field barefoot. It’s a back-breaking exercise. But, at 51 years of age and with eight children to feed, she’s gotten used to hard work. Every morning, Anastasia and her 58-year-old husband, Zakaria Wapali, leave their red-brick home on the edge of a tiny village known as Scheme View to tend to this and other crops on their 15-acre field, a two-kilometre walk
International Day of Forests 2025: Forests and Foods
The United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 21 March as the International Day of Forests in 2012 to celebrate and raise awareness of the importance of all types of forests. Each year, countries worldwide organize local, national, and international activities to highlight the role of forests, including tree-planting campaigns, educational initiatives, and policy dialogues. In 2025, the theme for the International Day of Forests is “Forests and Foods”, underscoring the indispensable
Empowering African Rural Women Leaders in Kigali, Rwanda
A group of 20 rural women leaders from 13 African countries and Germany gathered in Kigali for the second session of the “Women Lead: Leadership for Rural Women” program. PAFO organized the initiative in partnership with the Andreas Hermes Akademie (AHA) and the German Rural Women’s Association (dlv) to strengthen women’s leadership in agriculture and equip them with the skills needed to drive positive change in their communities. Building Leadership Skills The program provided a
FAO launches ‘Voices for Change’ video series to amplify perspectives on family farming
FAO has launched the“Voices for Change” video series, a collection of interviews and insights from key stakeholders at the Global Family Farming Forum (GFFF), held in October 2024. The GFFF, hosted at FAO Headquarters in Rome, brought together over 400 participants from different regions to discuss policies, innovations, and challenges affecting family farmers. The “Voices for Change” videos capture the essence of these discussions, showcasing the resilience, knowledge, and contributions
Women in Agriculture: Empowering Communities Through Radio
As part of the YenKasa Africa Radio Initiative, Maiyan FM aired an engaging program on Women in Agriculture, produced in Maasai, a local Kenyan language, in collaboration with KENAFF and the Namelok Women Organization in Laikipia County, Kenya. The discussion featured Rosemary Yenko, a community development expert and secretary of Namelok Women Organization, alongside Susan Narinyoki Moisany, an agriculturalist and administrator. They explored women’s economic and social empowerment in agriculture, shedding light on
How a Senegal fishing family found safe harbour at home
Behind the newspaper headlines and the data on migration flows are countless ordinary people who envision a bright future for their families. Wherever their journeys take them, each of their stories is unique. Ousmane and Adama are a couple from rural Senegal who dared to dream of a better future abroad – and, with IFAD’s support, ended up finding it at home. Ousmane’s story Ousmane, a fisherman from Kafountine in Senegal, boarded