Russia's attacks on civilian cargo ships in the Black Sea have halted all vessel traffic to Ukraine's Odesa region ports for the first time since 2023, strangling vital export corridors and raising global food security concerns. Ukraine has requested an urgent UN Security Council meeting for July 27.
Tony Rinaudo, known as "The Forest Maker," helped Nigerien farmers regenerate over 200 million trees by reviving dormant root systems, not planting new ones. This low-cost Farmer Managed Natural Regeneration (FMNR) approach restored millions of hectares, improving food security and livelihoods for millions in Niger.
Astana, Kazakhstan, has experienced two record-breaking heatwaves this summer, with temperatures reaching 39.5°C. The country faces increasing climate risks, including heat-related deaths, droughts, and water shortages, prompting calls for a national Heat-Health Action Plan.
Campaigners warn the UK government's plan to boost intensive poultry farming for food security is a national security risk due to resource intensity, pollution, and reliance on imported feed, advocating for plant-based proteins instead.
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung advocates for increased agricultural subsidies to safeguard food security and farmer livelihoods, citing sufficient financial resources from a booming stock market.
A report reveals significant flaws in India's agriculture data collection, with 'girdawari' (crop enumeration) completed on time in less than half the country. Outdated maps and untrained staff conducting crop-cutting experiments further compromise food security data.
New research from Stockholm University and Project Seagrass indicates that fish from seagrass meadows offer a superior nutritional profile compared to those from coral reefs, potentially aiding millions in coastal East Africa facing malnutrition and poverty.
New research indicates seagrass meadows provide fish richer in essential nutrients than those from coral reefs, potentially combating malnutrition in coastal communities along East Africa. The study highlights seagrass as 'food infrastructure' vital for local diets.
UK MPs are demanding the full publication of a spy report detailing catastrophic national security risks from overseas ecosystem collapse, including food shortages and potential conflict. The government's refusal to release the report, despite a third heatwave, has drawn criticism.
Indonesia plans to integrate with India's Unified Payments Interface (UPI) and use its digital public infrastructure as a blueprint for its own ecosystem. The collaboration extends to commerce, digital identity, and public services, with potential for export across the ASEAN region.
Five trainees died during a program for Indonesia's $13.4B village cooperative initiative, raising concerns about the training's design and safety, and the reliance on military discipline in policymaking.
El Niño has brought frost and drought to Papua New Guinea's Highlands, destroying crops and threatening food security for up to 3 million people. Oxfam PNG reports severe food shortages and water issues, with the government urging preparedness.
Women farmers, responsible for up to 80% of food production in lower-income countries, face systemic exclusion. Investing in them could boost global GDP by $1 trillion and reduce food insecurity for 45 million people.
Tetra Pak advocates for a focused climate strategy in food systems, emphasizing processing and packaging over farming. They highlight that modernizing dairy equipment can cut emissions by 40-49% and that carton packaging offers a lower climate impact for perishables. Policy should enable system-wide modernization and circularity.
India's rice stocks reached a record 68.43 million tonnes and wheat inventories climbed to their highest in five years at 53.41 million tonnes by June 1. This surge in reserves is expected to bolster food security and provide export flexibility, despite El Nino concerns.
El Nino's onset may weaken India's summer monsoon, risking vital kharif crops like rice and maize, warns FAO. This threatens farmers' livelihoods and food security, especially in vulnerable regions, amplified by a warmer planet and global disruptions.
US Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins testified that dependence on China for agricultural inputs poses an existential threat to national security and liberty, while defending a reduced $20.8 billion 2027 budget request amidst farmer pressures from tariffs, the Iran war, and supply disruptions.
A Swiss startup, VunaNexus, has developed a technology to transform human urine into a certified liquid fertilizer called Aurin. Initially seen as unconventional, the process gained traction due to soaring fertilizer prices and supply chain issues following the Russia-Ukraine war. The technology is being implemented in buildings across Europe and has roots in a pioneering project in South Africa.
India's fertiliser supply chain is strained by the West Asia conflict disrupting shipping via the Strait of Hormuz. Combined with a below-normal monsoon forecast and El Niño conditions, this threatens crop output, food inflation, and India's economy, potentially widening the trade deficit and weakening the rupee.
Researcher Shi Yuanliang and his team have developed advanced slow-release fertilizer technology, significantly reducing farmers' labor and costs while boosting grain yields. This innovation has led to China's leadership in the global slow-release fertilizer market and the relocation of the International Fertilizer Science Center to China.
The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) has launched a $10 billion facility to support member countries dealing with the economic impacts of the US-Israel war on Iran, providing fast-disbursing budget support and financing for critical imports.
The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) has launched a $10 billion facility to support member countries facing development impacts from the US-Israel war's effects on Iran. The aid will provide fast-disbursing budget support, finance critical imports, and offer liquidity.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi was awarded the FAO Agricola Medal by the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization for his contributions to sustainable agriculture, food security, and rural development, highlighting India's commitment to strengthening its agricultural sector.
G7 finance ministers and central bank governors met in Paris and agreed to urgently address the risk of Middle East tensions impacting food supplies. They noted rising fertilizer prices due to the Strait of Hormuz situation could decrease global food production.
