Latest news with #FoodandAgricultureOrganisationoftheUnitedNations
Agriland
27-05-2025
- General
- Agriland
FAO: Less than 5% of cropland in Gaza available for cultivation
Less than 5% of the Gaza Strip's cropland area remains available for cultivation, according to the latest geospatial assessment by the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO). According to the FAO, as of April 2025, 12,536ha out of 15,053ha, more than 80%, of the Gaza Strip's total cropland has been damaged, and 77.8% is not accessible to farmers, leaving just 688ha available for cultivation. The FAO said the situation is particularly critical in Rafah and in the northern governorates, where nearly all cropland is not accessible. Using high-resolution satellite imagery and comparing against pre-conflict baselines, the assessment also found that 71.2% of the Gaza Strip's greenhouses have been damaged. Agricultural wells have not fared better, with 82.8% of them damaged across the Gaza Strip. That figure stood at around 67.7% in December 2024. The FAO believes that before the start of the conflict, agriculture accounted for approximately 10% of Gaza's economy, with more than 560,000 people relying entirely or partially on crop production, herding, or fishing for their livelihoods. The deputy director general of the FAO, Beth Bechdol said: 'This level of destruction is not just a loss of infrastructure – it is a collapse of Gaza's agrifood system and of lifelines. 'What once provided food, income, and stability for hundreds of thousands is now in ruins. With cropland, greenhouses, and wells destroyed, local food production has ground to a halt.' 'Rebuilding will require massive investment—and a sustained commitment to restore both livelihoods and hope,' Bechdol explained. Gaza Earlier this year, 2025, the FAO estimated that the total value of damages and losses experienced by the agricultural sector in Gaza since hostilities began, in 2023, was over $2 billion (€1.7 billion), with recovery and reconstruction needs estimated at $4.2 billion (€3.69 billion). The FAO believes that with the breakdown of the ceasefire, these figures will undoubtedly have risen further, underlining the huge challenge of rebuilding the livelihoods of farmers, livestock owners and fishermen across the Gaza Strip. The latest assessment from FAO and UNOSAT follows the release of a new Integrated Food Security Phase Classification analysis, which warns that the entire population of the Gaza Strip – approximately 2.1 million people – is facing a critical risk of famine following 19 months of conflict, mass displacement, and severe restrictions on humanitarian aid.
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
FAO to allocate US$150m to Ukrainian farmers
Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Generate Key Takeaways The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) will allocate US$150 million to support rural communities in Ukraine affected by the war. It has announced the launch of a two-year Emergency and Early Recovery Response Plan (EERRP). Source: press service for FAO, as reported by Ukrinform news agency Details: The plan for 2025–2026 aims to assist more than 500,000 vulnerable people. By resuming their work, affected farmers will contribute to ensuring the country's food security. FAO plans to provide agricultural resources to the most vulnerable rural households and small-scale farmers affected by the war. The plan also includes clearing agricultural land of explosive remnants. It also covers long-term early recovery measures, including support for production capacity, access to markets and the provision of technical assistance. "This plan comes at a time when Ukrainian farmers are still facing enormous challenges – from mined fields and destroyed infrastructure to limited access to markets. Through the EERRP 2025–2026, FAO continues supporting Ukraine's efforts to address the impact of the war, particularly in rural areas near the front line," said Mohammed Azouqa, acting Head of the FAO Office in Ukraine. The World Bank's data indicates that damages and losses in Ukraine's agricultural sector from February 2022 to December 2024 are estimated at nearly US$84 billion. The irrigation sector alone sustained damage worth US$1.6 billion. Warehouses, farms, perennial crops, equipment and harvested products were destroyed. Background: Earlier, it was reported that the annual application process for Ukrainian farmers to join the programme for compensating the cost of demining farmland had begun. The state budget has allocated UAH 1 billion (about US$24 million) for this programme. It was also reported that the government extended funding for the state programme supporting farmers cultivating up to 120 hectares of land or keeping up to 100 cows, 500 goats and/or sheep. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
Gulf Today
04-05-2025
- Business
- Gulf Today
ADIBF spotlights Khalifa International Award
Khalifa International Award for Date Palm and Agricultural Innovation, affiliated with the Erth Zayed Philanthropies, is participating in the 34th session of the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair (ADIBF), taking place from April 26 to May 5, 2025 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC). The Award's General Secretariat will be present at a dedicated pavilion showcasing its latest scientific publications in both Arabic and English, focusing on date palm cultivation, production, and agricultural innovation. The participation also highlights the Award's ongoing efforts to advance the date palm sector and promote agricultural innovation at the national, regional, and international levels. This participation reaffirms the Award's commitment to disseminating specialised knowledge and sharing the results of successful research and practical experiences that benefit the agricultural sector in the UAE and the world, where it aligns with the vision of the UAE's wise leadership in promoting a culture of innovation and sustainability. The Award's General Secretariat has announced the launch of seven new books as part of its annual publications during the Award's Winners Honouring ceremony, in its 17th session, 2025. These publications will be introduced to the public at the exhibition, and which includes specialised studies in various fields such as: 1. 'Date Palm Cultivation' book (Arabic edition), published in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO). 2. 'Date Palm Cultivation' book (English edition), published in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO). 3. The 'Glossary of biotechnology for food and agriculture' book, published in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO). 4. The 'Date Palm Cultivation in Mexico' book in Spanish language, in collaboration with the Sonora State University, and Dr Ricardo Salomon Torres. 5. The 'Food Industries from Dates' book in Arabic language, in collaboration with Prof. Hassan Khaled Al Oqaidi. 6. The 'Organic Agriculture' book in English language, in collaboration with Prof. Magdy Mohamed Qenawy. 7. The 'Mejhoul Variety: The Jewel of Dates' book in Indonesian language, in collaboration with the Indonesian Kalimantan Date Palm Association, where the 'Mejhoul Variety' book is now globally available in five languages: (Arabic, English, French, Spanish, and Indonesian). WAM
Jordan Times
17-04-2025
- Science
- Jordan Times
FAO, Mu'tah University launch women-led climate adaptation initiative
The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) in Jordan, in cooperation with Mu'tah University, on Wednesday celebrates the graduation of a group of 'Climate Wise Women Agents' (CWWAs) (Photo courtesy of FAO) AMMAN — The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) in Jordan, in cooperation with Mu'tah University, on Wednesday celebrated the graduation of a group of 'Climate Wise Women Agents' (CWWAs), who completed a six-month training programme on climate change adaptation. The training is part of an agreement between FAO and Mu'tah University under the $33.25 million project, 'Building Resilience to Cope with Climate Change in Jordan through Improving Water Use Efficiency in the Agriculture Sector' (BRCCJ). The project is funded by the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and implemented by FAO in cooperation with the ministries of Water and Irrigation, Agriculture, Environment, and the UN Development Programme (UNDP), according to a FAO statement. The eight graduates, female agricultural engineers, are now certified trainers who will go on to empower 400 women across the governorates of Karak, Madaba, Tafileh, and Ma'an, enabling them to better adapt to the impacts of climate change, support their families, and promote sustainable development in their communities. Speaking at the ceremony, FAO Representative in Jordan Nabil Assaf said: 'FAO is investing in women as drivers of change. One of our most important initiatives is the BRCCJ project, which includes establishing a cadre of 400 Climate Wise Women to promote climate resilience in vulnerable areas.' He added that the eight newly certified agents are a major output of the FAO-Mu'tah agreement, which included developing a training manual and providing technical training to prepare the graduates for their role in scaling climate-smart practices. Representing the university, Vice President for Scientific Colleges Affairs Ameen Aqel affirmed the university's commitment to community development. 'The trained women will act as a core group to raise awareness and train 400 women,100 in each of the four targeted governorates, on climate adaptation strategies, particularly in agriculture and water resource management,' he said. He also said, "The challenges posed by climate change require a strong national response, including the adoption of sustainable environmental policies, improving water resource management, and raising public awareness about the importance of climate adaptation." He pointed out that climate change has significant negative effects on the Kingdom due to its geographical location and the environmental conditions it faces, particularly water scarcity. Director of the Prince Faisal Centre for Dead Sea, Energy, and Environmental Research Amjad Tarawneh also attended the ceremony. The BRCCJ Project, with a fund at $33.25 million, targets four governorates in the Dead Sea Basin—Karak, Madaba, Tafileh, and Ma'an, which are particularly vulnerable to climate change and water scarcity resulting from shifting climate conditions. The residents of these areas mainly rely on rain-fed agriculture, face high poverty rates, and lack adequate knowledge and resources to cope with climate change, the statement said. Women, as key agents of change in climate adaptation, are playing a central role in this project, aiming to improve women's accessibility to resources and information which will enable them to become more adaptive to climate change and safeguard their livelihoods.
Jordan Times
15-04-2025
- Politics
- Jordan Times
Water Ministry, FAO discuss regional water scarcity initiative
Regional Initiative on Water Scarcity for the Near East and North Africa (NENA) aims to support strategic planning and improve water resource management (Photo courtesy of FAO) AMMAN — Minister of Water Raed Abu Soud and Representative of the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) Nabil Assaf on Sunday discussed the Regional Initiative on Water Scarcity for the Near East and North Africa (NENA). The initiative aims to support strategic planning and improve water resource management, promote the use of non-conventional water sources, ensure water sustainability, enhance governance in agricultural water use, strengthen the resilience of food systems and water services to climate change, and foster knowledge-sharing through regional cooperation. Abu Soud stressed the initiative's 'importance' in addressing Jordan's water challenges and those facing the broader region, reviewing national efforts to safeguard water sustainability through strategic planning and the search for innovative solutions, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. The minister noted that the initiative offers a 'valuable' platform to improve water resource management and planning, promote sustainable water use in agriculture, develop technical capacities, raise awareness, and facilitate the exchange of knowledge and the best practices. He added that the ministry, in collaboration with key stakeholders, aims to implement integrated water resource management, strengthen water governance, and improve the flexibility and security of water services. Abu Soud pointed out that the initiative also seeks to introduce modern irrigation and agricultural technologies to advance food security and counter climate change, while reinforcing regional cooperation for sustainable water resource management. Assaf highlighted the critical role of partnerships in confronting regional water scarcity, especially in light of challenges such as climate change, irregular rainfall, and declining water quality, all of which affect food availability across the region. The NENA Region, already naturally exposed to chronic shortage of water, will be exposed in the coming decades to a 'severe' intensification of water scarcity due to several drivers, including demographic growth, tendency to increase food self-sufficiency to reduce vulnerability to import and price volatility, urbanisation expansion, energy demand and overall socio-economic development, according to Per capita fresh water availability, which has already decreased by 66 per cent over the last forty years, will probably decrease by another 50 per cent by 2050. Also, there is an 'alarming' trend observed over last decades showing that the NENA Region is experiencing more frequent, intense and long droughts as a consequence of climate change, the website said. Agriculture, which consumes already more than 85 per cent of available fresh water resources, will face 'strong' challenges in keeping the same water allocation while sustaining food security and rural economy, according to FAO. Countries in the region need to plan strategically their water resources allocation, review their water, food security and energy strategies to ensure that they are aligned with the imperative of making the best use of each single drop of water, the website added.
