News

Palm oil production causes ecological problems. However, banning it would not be a sustainable solution, according to researchers, as this could have adverse economic and social effects in the producer countries. The…

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Disasters

Tens of thousands of people are fleeing floods in Kenya and Uganda. Landslides destroyed roads and homes. The unusually heavy rains also encouraged the emergence of new swarms of locusts.

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Disasters

In the FAO’s latest progress report on the locust control campaign the UN agency could inform that it could proceed with the control programme to fight the Desert Locust upsurge in East Africa and the Yemen. However a…

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Forestry

The rate of global deforestation has slowed, although deforestation continue, the highest rate of net forest losses over the last decade being recorded in Africa, followed by South America.

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Health

One-off immunisation campaigns and national routine vaccine introductions delayed amid coronavirus pandemic, according to experts. Countries with ongoing conflicts and fragile health systems are most at risk.

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Food security

In discussions about sustainability of food production and consumption, it is often suggested that the proportion of locally produced products should increase. However, it is largely unknown how high this share can be…

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Finance

The World Bank predicts the sharpest decline of remittances in recent history. This means a loss of a crucial financing lifeline for many vulnerable households.

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Markets

Prices for agricultural commodities are expected to remain broadly stable in 2020 overall as production levels and stocks of most staple foods are at record highs. Nevertheless, trade and supply chain disruptions raise…

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Disasters

As the desert locust invasion in East Africa continues, West Africa is concerned about the risk of it spreading westwards. Swarms were predicted to arrive in Chad by mid-June 2020, according to simulations by researchers…

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“The fallout from COVID-19 may push rural families even deeper into poverty, hunger and desperation”, said Gilbert F. Houngbo, President of IFAD. A new fund by IFAD aims to provide rural people with the tools to adapt to…

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Food security

The impact of the coronavirus combined with the lean season, conflict and insecurity could increase food insecurity in West Africa significantly, NGOs warn.

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Poverty reduction

The lack of clean water and medicine as well as restrictions to trade and movement are threatening the livelihoods of rural populations, IFAD warns.

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Development policy

A new database by FAO maps current official decisions being taken around the world to mitigate the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on food and agricultural systems.

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Disasters

The situation in East Africa is still worrying. Efforts to contain the Desert Locust upsurge must continue despite restrictions on the movement of personnel and equipment resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Health

Livelihoods in developing countries are being threatened by the social and economic crisis triggered by COVID-19. Especially in the Central Sahel, where millions are food insecure, the situation is extremely worrying.

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