NEWS FROM REGION

In an uncertain world, investing in rural areas will bring growth and stability, global leaders emphasize at IFAD’s 48th Governing Council

As the world grows increasingly fragmented and the future uncertain, global leaders and financiers at the 48th Governing Council of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) today emphasized the strategic importance of investing in rural areas of developing countries to achieve food and nutrition security, economic growth and stability.

China renews US$10 million funding to China-IFAD facility for agricultural projects

Rome, 14 February 2025 - Alvaro Lario, President of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), and Liao Min, Vice Minister of Finance of the People’s Republic of China, renewed the country’s US$10 million contribution to the China-IFAD South-South and Triangular Cooperation (SSTC) Facility. The signing took place yesterday during IFAD’s 48th Governing Council meeting in Rome...

Solomon Islands prepare to host international conference on SDG 14.4: Honiara Summit 2025

Solomon Islands is preparing to host the Honiara Summit 2025, an international gathering focused on the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14.4: Conserving and sustainably using oceans, seas, and marine resources for sustainable development....

Building the Foundation of Nepal’s Coffee Sector

Two of Nepal’s foremost coffee experts, Bhola Shrestha and Dr. Badri Bastakoti, worked with Helvetas over many years to help establish and grow the industry. Below, they share perspectives on the key approach for uniting the coffee farming community, creating and adapting systems to make coffee a commercial crop, and the shifts they’ve seen in coffee consumption over the years.

Japan farm ministry aims to dispatch corporate workers to rural areas

In response to the ongoing challenges posed by Japan’s shrinking population and aging rural demographics, the agriculture ministry is introducing a new initiative to dispatch corporate personnel to rural areas. The initiative, part of a new regional revitalization policy under the administration of Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, aims to promote rural development through corporate-sponsored training programs and employee side jobs that will help connect businesses with farming villages.

At COP29, IFAD helps countries to achieve agricultural methane reduction

As global efforts to achieve a 30 per cent reduction in methane emissions by 2030 gain traction, the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) has launched a crucial guidebook to help developing countries incorporate agricultural methane reduction strategies into their climate plans. The guide will be presented during the high-level event “The NDC 3.0 Navigator: A Deeper Dive on Methane Reduction in Food Systems” at COP29 in Baku today.

Biodiversity is fundamental to feed a hungry planet - IFAD at COP16 Colombia

The UN’s International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) is urging global leaders at the UN Biodiversity Conference (CBD COP16) taking place in Cali, Colombia, to direct greater focus and funding to small-scale farmers. Rural producers are on the frontlines of biodiversity loss and climate change and must be able to sustainably grow a variety of crops for local and global consumption and in particular for the over 3 billion people who cannot afford a healthy diet.

FAO Regional Forum for Innovations to Support Sustainable Livestock Transformation in the Asia & Pacific Region 12th to 15th November 2024

Sanjeev Kumar participated in the FAO Regional Forum for Innovations to Support Sustainable Livestock Transformation in the Asia-Pacific Region organized by the FAO in Thailand and he shares his observations here.

Making Agriculture in Laos Fit for Change

This year’s rice planting season in Laos started with droughts, making it difficult for farmers in parts of the country to plant after a heat wave in April and May. Then, just before harvesting season, Typhoon Yagi swept across Southeast Asia, bringing severe flooding to Laos. With climate change progressing quickly, Lao farmers must brace themselves for an increase in the frequency and/or severity of droughts, fires, storms and floods.

Celebrating APEN’s 30-Year Legacy!

The APEN 30-Year History book continues to inspire, and today, we’re sharing a visual journey through the decades. From conferences to workshops, trailblazers to milestone moments—these snapshots tell the story of how far we’ve come as an extension community.

Talks on adapting food systems take place at COP29 in Azerbaijan

The 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change held discussions on “Decarbonization, Adaptation of Food Systems and Restoration of Nature on the Way to 1.5°C." Trend reports via Azerbaijan's Ministry of Agriculture.

FAO Director-General visits sugar cane farms and China-Pacific Island Countries Juncao Technology Demonstration Center for mushroom cultivation

As part of his official visit to Fiji, where he opened the SIDS Solutions Forum 2024, FAO Director-General QU Dongyu visited sugar cane farms and the China-Pacific Islands Countries Juncao Technology Demonstration Center for mushroom cultivation, which uses a type of grass rather than the traditional logs or sawdust as a base.

Vietnam’s Agri-Export Trade Soars in 2024, Showing Scope for Foreign Investment

Vietnam has achieved remarkable trade performance in 2024, recording a 16 percent year-on-year increase in trade turnover for the first 10 months, reaching US$647.87 billion, according to the General Department of Customs. Export activities contributed nearly US$335.59 billion, rising 15 percent, while imports surged by 17 percent to reach US$312.28 billion.

Senile coconut trees reborn as engineered wood

Traditionally, “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle” has applied to manufactured goods, but now researchers are extending this philosophy to senile coconut trees, which are over 60 years old and have experienced declining nut production. These trees often stand idle, posing a risk as breeding grounds for pests like the Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle (CRB).

Tonga Paravet Training Success Set to Strengthen Animal Health and Livestock Industry

The training team was in Tonga from 23-27 September for summer school, marking the culmination of the 16-week programme. The summer school included practical and theory revision sessions to prepare for the final examination.

Japan’s Rice Farmers Planting More Heat-Resistant Varieties

Rice is native to the subtropics, and its cultivation in Japan has seen a long history of struggle with cold weather damage and a continued need to develop and cultivate cold-resistant varieties. In 1993, unusually low summer temperatures led to severe cold damage, mainly in the Tōhoku and Kantō regions, and rice had to be urgently imported from Thailand, the United States, and other countries.

IFAD and the Philippines launch new project to boost rural livelihoods and protect ecosystems

The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the Republic of the Philippines launched a new project to support rural communities, particularly those in the vulnerable uplands, at an event at the Department of Finance in Manila last week. The Value Chain Innovation for Sustainable Transformation in Agrarian Reform Communities project, or VISTA, aims to reduce poverty, increase food security, and protect the country's fragile ecosystems.

Vietnam enhances supply chains for sustainable organic agriculture

Organic agricultural products are gaining traction among consumers due to their sustainability, safety, and nutritional benefits. However, despite the rising demand, organic farming only accounts for a small portion of Vietnam's agricultural sector. Experts have acknowledged the importance of strengthening supply chains to drive the sustainable growth of organic agriculture and secure better incomes for farmers.

The Mekong is in transition, what does it mean for food security?

The Mekong River basin, many of the approximately 65 million people who rely on it for food, water and nutrition are struggling. High temperatures and drought have killed animals reared by locals and vegetables they planted for household consumption. For those who relied on collecting food from smaller water bodies, such as ponds and canals surrounding the river and lakes, they had to spend more time collecting food and had access to fewer species. For some, collecting food meant the difference between having the money or not, to pay for their children’s school fees or not, since it meant that they were less reliant on purchasing food from markets.

Nestlé spreads green mindset in Vietnam

Several international business representatives have asserted that Vietnamese enterprises must shift their awareness towards more sustainable business models, emphasising the urgency of dual transformation.

Mekong Extension Learning Alliance (MELA) The 2024 Regional Exchange Workshop

Mekong Extension Learning Alliance (MELA) is now begin in Halong City of Vietnam. The workshop is co-hosting by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of Vietnam with contributions from LURAS/ Helvetas Laos, The Royal Thai Government and participants. We are delighted to welcome over 60 participants from the public, private and non-government sectors of Mekong region countries. More innovative information will be shared in coming days.

Uzbekistan prepares proposal to be recognized as globally important agricultural heritage system

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Zamin International Public Foundation, is implementing the project “Implementation of Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS) in Uzbekistan”. The first potential candidate for the prestigious GIAHS status is the Margilan oasis and its sericulture system in Fergana Valley, UzA reports.

FAO summarizes the project on food safety in the horticultural sector of Kyrgyzstan

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) launched a project in 2020 to strengthen the capacity of Kyrgyzstan to ensure the safety of fruit and vegetable products “Enhancing the Capacity for Food Safety Management in the Fruit and Vegetable Industry of the Kyrgyz Republic.”

Political mindset crucial for Thai agriculture, says DOAE

Department of Agricultural Extension urges policymakers to reform the country’s agricultural sector to cope with climate change and evolving market demands

Japan and IRRI kick off rice carbon neutrality project in the ASEAN region

The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) of Japan, the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), and their partners gathered at IRRI Headquarters in Los Baños, Laguna on 24 June 2024 for the kick-off meeting

PNG Women in Agriculture Leading Research & Innovation on Agroecology

In the heart of Papua New Guinea, the dedicated team at PNG Women in Agriculture (PNGWiA) Development is making significant strides in implementing the FORI Pacific Breadfruit Project.

How diverse crops create a safety net for Solomon Islanders

The Solomon Islands are made up of about 1,000 islands spread over a vast expanse of the western Pacific Ocean. Like other Small Island Developing States (SIDS), the country is particularly vulnerable to external shocks and environmental

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