The lurking menace of weeds, farmers' enemy No. 1
Les mauvaises herbes, ennemi naturel numéro un des agriculteurs

July 09

FAO initiates debate on declaration for World Summit on Food Security

Benin: rice offers new hope - High quality seeds could help the country to become self-suficient and export surplus output

June 09

Africa’s sleeping giant - 400 million hectares of Guinea savannah land ripe for commercial farming

World hunger projected to reach a historic high in 2009

Agriculture more resilient to global crisis than other sectors, according to new OECD/FAO report

Conference 16 of the FAO Biotechnology Forum: "Learning from the past: Successes and failures with agricultural biotechnologies in developing countries over the last 20 years"

Global food supply gradually steadying, but shocks could still be in store

Agriculture is essential for facing climate change, says FAO - Climate change mitigation from agriculture could also benefit hunger and poverty reduction

Reward for conserving crops - 11 projects announced in Tunis to receive grants from treaty on food plant genes

First fruits of plant gene pact: delegates from 120 nations in Tunis to share benefits of treaty on food plant genes

May 09

International experts to meet June 1-5 to strenghten the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture

La FAO advierte la necesidad de un cambio en la agricultura para poder alimentar al planeta

March 09

The Global Partnership Initiative for Plant Breeding Capacity Building (GIPB) launches a call for studies and analysis on the state of knowledge on breeding for durable resistance to rust threatening crop production in the developing world

Future of water is in agriculture says FAO Director-General Jacques Diouf - Farmers need help to grow more food with less water

New FAO book on the socio-economic impacts of non-transgenic biotechnologies in developing countries

FAO Biotechnology Forum explores "Learning from the past: Successes and failures with agricultural biotechnologies in developing countries over the last 20 years"

February 09

Bumper rice harvest could bring down consumer prices

Early indications suggest smaller cereal crop in 2009 - Despite bumper 2008 harvests, high prices persist in many poor countries

January 09

FAO Biotechnology Forum explores "The role of agricultural biotechnologies for production of bioenergy in developing countries"

New FAO publication: "Coping with water scarcity: What role for biotechnologies?"

December 08

New FAO report highlights crop prospects and food situation

Expansion of world potato production is vital to food security, but economic crisis threatens current potato boom in the developing world

November 08

Urgent call for global fight against the wheat stem rust disease strain Ug99 - Major wheat producing countries agree on roadmap to battle virulent fungus

FAO's latest "Food Outlook" forecasts record world cereal harvest, but troubles loom ahead

October 08

New FAO e-mail conference focuses on the potential role that agricultural biotechnologies can play for production of bioenergy in developing countries

Easing organic agricultural trade - New tools help developing-country farmers market organic produce

September 08

Higher food prices spur expansion in area planted in Eastern Europe

Augsut 08

Update on the Plant Breeding Electronic Journal Club

July 08

Afghanistan endorses ECO Regional Seed Association

US and UK governments support Afghanistan seed sector

GIPB Knowledge Resource Center launches the Plant Breeding Electronic Journal Club

Improved seeds for Central Asia

New global soil database offers win-win options for climate change mitigation and food production

Record cereals output expected in 2008/09, but markets expected to stay volatile

FAO launches emergency rice programme in West Africa - Eleven countries take immediate steps to revive local production

FAO Biotechnology Glossary now available in seven languages - Russian version just released

Unfavourable prospects for 2008 cereal crops in several East African countries

June 08

Global Partnership Initiative for Plant Breeding Capacity Building (GIPB) lauches its first call for proposals on "Promoting the Use of Crop Diversity to Help Address Environmental and Climate Challenges"

Global assessment of plant breeding capacity

FAO-BiotechNews, Updage 3-2008

Distance learning course offered on biotechnology and intellectual property

FAO starts seed distribution in Mauritania - Trucks with more than 500 tonnes of seeds are on their way to the countryside

FAO food summit calls for more investment in agriculture

Boosting food production in Africa’s "breadbasket areas" - New collaboration among Rome-based UN agencies and AGRA

The world only needs 30 billion dollars a year to eradicate the scourge of hunger - The time for talk is over, action is needed, says FAO Director-General

May 08

Afghanistan National Seed Association is born

Agricultural commodity prices expected to remain high - New OECD/FAO outlook says prices may become more volatile

Food prices remain high despite higher output

Biodiversity to curb world's food insecurity - Global conference on biological diversity in Bonn

Strong signs of record rice production, but prices are expected to remain high in 2008

April 08

High food prices are not just a threat but an opportunity, and we must seize the chance to boost agriculture, says FAO Director-General

FAO expects rice production to rise by 1.8 percent in 2008

March 08

Cusco potato conference looks to “food of the future” - Meeting of scientists aims at honing strategies for more productive and sustainable potato-based systems

EBRD and FAO call for bold steps to contain soaring food prices - Moves needed now to unlock unused agricultural potential in Eastern Europe

Ug99 wheat killer detected in Iran - Dangerous fungus on the move from East Africa to the Middle East

Agriculture in the Near East likely to suffer from climate change

Summary document of the FAO e-mail conference entitled "Coping with water scarcity in developing countries: What role for agricultural biotechnologies?"

CGIAR's Generation Challenge Programme offers 2008 Fellowships to developing country crop science researchers

Proceedings of the 2006 International Plant Breeding Symposium held in Mexico City, Mexico

FAO/IAEA Plant Breeding and Genetics Newsletter 20

“Biodiversity is vital for human survival and livelihoods,” FAO Deputy Director-General says - James G. Butler calls for “urgent remedial action” against hunger and rural poverty

Significant increase in world cereal production forecast for 2008, but prices remain high - New FAO web portal tracks market trends

FAO unveils new bioenergy assessment tool, weighs impact on food security

January 08

Invitation from the Global Partnership Initiative for Plant Breeding Capacity Building (GIPB)
 

December 07

Dialogue on agricultural biotechnologies to assist developing countries cope with water scarcity

Reducing arsenic levels in rice through improved irrigation practices

FAO has no reason to believe that organic agriculture can substitute for conventional farming systems in ensuring the world’s food security

Despite record 2007 production cereal prices remain high

Experts discuss challenges associated with pesticide use on speciality crops

November 07

“New agriculture” needs a new FAO - Climate change, population growth and FAO’s own future among key challenges

Paying farmers to protect the environment? - FAO publishes The State of Food and Agriculture 2007

Bioenergy growth must be carefully managed - Global Bioenergy Partnership publishes report on bioenergy in G8 plus five countries

FAO-BiotechNews - November 2007

FAO forecasts continued high cereal prices - Unfavourable weather, low stocks, tight supplies amid strong demand cited as causes

October 07

Combating cassava mosaic

International plant gene pool becomes operational - Multilateral system boosts the exchange of plant genetic material

Research coordination meeting of FAO and IAEA to meet in Perth, Western Australia

Wheat prices hit record-high levels

September 07

Severe drought drastically reduces crop production in Moldova

Harnessing the Web to speed rural development: Web2forDev Conference 2007 kicks off

Living with climate change: Adaptation strategies needed to build resilience

August 07

Cereals production doubles in Afghanistan - Afghanis near cereals self-sufficiency

July 07

Benefits and limits of an important biotech tool - FAO publishes study on marker-assisted selection

OECD-FAO Agricultural Outlook 2007-2016 report examines fundamental long-term changes to agricultural markets

June 07

FAO releases major new publication on marker-assisted selection

May 07

Assessing and designing strategies to strengthen regional plant breeding and associated biotechnology capacity in the Caucasus

FAO-BiotechNews - May 2007

Record cereal production forecast in 2007 but supply/demand situation to remain tight - Biofuels industry drives up demand, prices

Meeting the food security challenge through organic agriculture: states should integrate organic agriculture objectives within national priorities, FAO says

April 07

FAO-BiotechNews - March 2007

Wheat killer spreads from East Africa to Yemen - New partnership formed to monitor and prevent spread of dangerous fungus

FAO forecasts record cereal crop for 2007

March 07

FAO Rice Market Monitor, March 2007

How hi-tech nuclear science is feeding the poor

FAO and US Department of Agriculture sign agreement to strengthen collaboration - Sharing resources to promote sustainable global agriculture

February 07

Favourable early outlook for world cereal production in 2007

Coping with water scarcity in developing countries: What role for agricultural biotechnologies?

Results from the FAO Biotechnology Forum: Background and dialogue on selected issues

December 06

International agencies agree on plan for food safety, animal and plant health assistance - Aim is to help developing countries implement international standards

Next e-mail conference of the FAO Biotechnology Forum: Water scarcity and agricultural biotechnologies

Cereal prices surge to highest levels in decade

November 06

OPEC Fund to support development of Myanmar's edible oil sector

Climate change will affect future food availability

October 06

FAO Biotechnology news:
- FAO Biotechnology Activities - Results of a survey
- Report of FAO Regional Conference for Africa: African Seeds and Biotechnology Programme
- Biotechnology policy documents of FAO members
- Risk assessment and regulation of transgenic insect release
- FAO Biotechnology Documents webpage updated

Agricultural heritage: legacy from the past, passport for the future - FAO forum highlights importance of family agriculture for sustainable development

World’s most important gene banks now under international plant genetic resources treaty - New agreement ensures open access, benefits sharing for all

September 06

FAO’s AGORA initiative widens access to agricultural research by more countries

Newly opened secretariat of the Global Bioenergy Partnership to promote bioenergy and encourage production, marketing and use of “green” fuels

FAO Director-General appeals for second Green Revolution: vVast effort needed to feed billions and safeguard the environment

Record rice yields for Egypt - FAO-led project to solve rice production gap

August 06

Higher hopes for C4 rice - Increasing yields to feed a growing world population

July 06

FAO revamps its statistical system

Sharp decline forecast for world cereal stocks

Developing countries are shaping the future of world agriculture trade

The role of biotechnology in exploring and protecting agricultural genetic resources

June 06

The status of agricultural biotechnology and biosafety in Ukraine

First meeting of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture acknowledges the crucial role of plant genetic resources

FAO and ISTA sign memorandum of understanding

Summary document of the FAO e-mail conference: "Regulating GMOs in developing and transition countries"

First meeting of treaty on genetic resources for agriculture opens in Madrid

World cereal demand to outstrip supply in 2006

Genetic resources in agriculture: the key to food security - First meeting of the governing body of the international Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture in Madrid

May 06

Plant breeding and biotechnology capacity: FAO reports of national surveys and a regional workshop

FAO-BiotechNews newsletter - May 2006

Putting plant genetic resources to work through capacity building in plant breeding

Severe, prolonged drought threatens food security in western China - Over 60 percent of winter wheat crops lost in worst-hit areas

100 countries have ratified the international plant genetic resources treaty

World cereal production forecast to decrease slightly in 2006

April 06

FAO sees major shift to bioenergy - Pressure building for switch to biofuels

World Intellectual Property Organization upgrades its online database, PatentScope

Assessing and designing strategies to strengthen national plant breeding and biotechnology capacity in Central Asia

FAO national plant breeding and biotechnology surveys - draft reports: Ethiopia, Kazakhstan, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan

Launch of a new version of FAO GeoNetwork - Spatial data sharing among UN agencies

International Rice Commission to discuss ways to promote international action on production, preservation, distribution and consumption of rice

2005, a record breaking year for the world rice economy - FAO forecasts a contraction in trade in 2006

March 06

Improved agricultural water control is key to meeting the world's growing food needs

FAO to launch Agricultural Biotechnology Network in Africa (ABNETA)

January 06

FAO’s Regional Conference for Africa opens

December 05

FAO Food Outlook - Global information and early warning system on food and agriculture

November 05

Summary document of the FAO e-mail conference: "The role of biotechnology for the characterisation and conservation of crop, forest, animal and fishery genetic resources in developing countries"

New global agricultural census under way

September 05

World cereal output revised downward

Summary document of the FAO e-mail conference: "Public participation in decision-making regarding GMOs in developing countries: How to effectively involve rural people"

World experts agree on agricultural development blueprint for 21st century

August 05

Rebuilding Iraq's collapsed seed industry

Summary document of the FAO e-mail conference: "Biotechnology applications in food processing: can developing countries benefit?"

July 05

"Rice blast in West Africa: Characterisation of pathogen diversity, key screening sites and host resistance" - FAO workshop proceedings published

FAO book on fodder oats

Proceedings of FAO Rice Conference

FAO e-mail conference on biotechnology and genetic resources finished

"The way forward to strengthen national plant breeding and biotechnology capacity" - FAO workshop report

Around 70 000 farming families receive seeds and tools in North Darfur

Biotechnology in forestry gaining ground - FAO calls for systematic assessment of genetically modified trees

June 05

Environmentally friendly weapon against locusts proves effective

FAO forecasts slight drop in cereal trade - Cereal prices remain well below levels a year ago

Agriculture export competition will intensify - Rising share of trade by developing countries
- OECD-FAO Agricultural Outlook: 2005-2014
- Agricultural Policies in OECD Countries: Monitoring and Evaluation 2005

FAO report:
"Genetically Modified Organisms in Crop Production and Their Effects on the Environment: Methodologies for Monitoring and the Way Ahead"

FAO Forest Genetic Resources Working Paper:
"Preliminary review of biotechnology in forestry, including genetic modification"

May 05

FAO - Electronic Forum on Biotechnology in Food and Agriculture:
The role of biotechnology for the characterisation and conservation of crop, forest, animal and fishery genetic resources in developing countries

Climate change likely to influence development and intensification of animal diseases and plant pests, and to increase the number of hungry people

Several developing countries now have well-developed biotechnology programmes - Research is being conducted on GM crops and traits more relevant for food security

April 05

Bioenergy is key to the fight against hunger

FAO forecasts good world cereal crop for 2005

March 05

International Decade for Action 'Water for Life 2005-2015' to be launched by the United Nations and Governments

February 05

Some 36 countries worldwide face serious food shortages, says FAO report

Results of the FAO e-mail conference entitled "Public participation in decision-making regarding GMOs in developing countries: How to effectively involve rural people"

Agriculture commodity prices continue long-term decline

New strategies needed to secure food and safeguard ecosystems - Water conference proposes actions to reconcile water needs of agriculture and ecosystems

FAO Director-General urges African countries to give high priority to agricultural research and development

January 05

Huge investments in water, agriculture and ecosystems needed to reduce hunger and poverty

Ethiopia reaps bumper harvest, but more than 2 million people will need food aid this year

Monitoring the environmental effects of GM crops - FAO expert consultation recommends guidelines and methodologies

Reconciling the water needs of agriculture and ecosystems

FAO/WFP joint report on the crop and food situation in Eritrea released on the internet

December 04

FAO assesses damage in countries devastated by tsunamis in South Asia

FAO/WFP joint reports on crop and food situation in Mali, Mauritania, Niger and Senegal released on web

Near record levels of world rice production in 2004 - Rice trade and prices down

FAO - Electronic forum on biotechnology in food and agriculture - Conference 11
Public participation in decision-making regarding GMOs in developing countries: How to effectively involve rural people

Iowa State University to work with FAO on international seed issues

"The State of Food Insecurity in the World 2004" - FAO hunger report shows that chronic hunger plagues 852 million people worldwide, costs millions of lives and billions of dollars

Global cereal output hits record high - Cereal stocks rise for first time in five years

November 04

FAO urges countries to continue intensive locust control campaigns

FAO Biotechnology Glossary - Spanish translation now available on web

Desert locusts cause severe crop damage in Mauritania - Limited losses in other Sahel countries

October 04

Crop Trust to conserve plant diversity - Rich and poor nations sign on to save seeds worldwide

Le Glossaire de la biotechnologie pour l’alimentation et l’agriculture de la FAO traduit en français

Winners of the International Year of Rice global scientific contest announced: research on genetic diversity, disease control, and the rice genome earn international acclaim

Desert Locust situation remain extremely serious in North Africa: despite control operations more swarms will form in October

FAO intensifies locust campaign in West Africa

September 04

Farm workers need to be better protected against pesticides - FAO and UNEP call for stronger safety measures

Lack of investment in agriculture hinders overall economic growth in developing countries

Global cereal output rises on par with consumption, reports FAO

FAO welcomes increased commitment to contain desert locusts

August 04

Dramatic locust situation in West Africa - donor response positive

Mozambique subsistence agriculture faces long-term decline from HIV/AIDS epidemic - The problem also affects countries across southern and eastern Africa

Locust situation worsens in Mauritania and Mali

Locust invasion threatens summer crops in Sahel countries

July 04

FAO announces agricultural pilot project for West Bank and Gaza Strip

National Agricultural Biotechnology Research Capacity in Developing Countries

Summary Document of the FAO e-mail conference: "Molecular marker assisted selection as a potential tool for genetic improvement of crops, forest trees, livestock and fish in developing countries"

Locust swarms invade West Africa

First global meeting of organic producers and seed industry discusses issues of organic seed production, quality, certification and market access

June 04

International plant genetic treaty becomes law: Legally binding agreement - open access, benefit sharing, farmers' rights

Codex urged to speed up work and increase participation by developing countries

FAO Director-General outlines his views on use of biotechnology

FAO Food Outlook: cereal stocks continue decline

Nutritional contribution of rice and impact of biotechnology and biodiversity in rice-consuming countries

Biotechnology applications in food processing: Can developing countries benefit?

Living modified organisms: new guidelines for risk assessment - A new tool to help determine if a genetically modified plant is a weed

May 04

Locust situation in Northwest Africa is very worrying

FAO launches food safety, animal and plant health portal

The gene revolution has great potential for the poor but is no panacea, says the FAO annual report

FAO Report of the Expert Consultation on Environmental Effects of Genetically Modified Crops

Latest update of FAO-BiotechNews contains 14 news items related to applications of biotechnology in crops

April 04

Locust threat in Northwest Africa extremely serious

Global photography contest on rice highlights central role of rice in the fight against hunger and poverty

Better harvests improve sub-Saharan Africa's food supply situation

Cereal stocks to decline again in 2003/04, but cereal production is forecast to increase in the coming season

FAO launches "Developing Country Biotechnology Profiles", a searchable database which aims to provide easy access to key, updated sources of information regarding biotechnology-related policies, regulations and activities of individual developing countries

March 04

Treaty on biodiversity to become law

Papers presented at the FAO Rice Conference in February 2004

Summary Document of the FAO e-mail conference: "What should be the role and focus of biotechnology in the agricultural research agendas of developing countries?"

FAO's global foodcrops and shortages overview

February 04

Rotterdam Convention enters into force - Treaty provides a first line of defence against hazardous chemicals and pesticides

International rice conference: intensified rice systems required; land and water resources under threat

Special Report on the FAO/WFP Crop and Food Supply Assessment Mission to Sudan

December 03

Seed stocks in Liberia seriously decimated after many years of war

FAO distributes seeds to returnees in Afghanistan

FAO e-mail conference on marker assisted selection

Sub-Saharan Africa crop prospects are mixed, says FAO Africa Report

November 03

Treaty on hazardous chemicals and pesticides trade to become law: Rotterdam Convention will enter into force on 24 February 2004

FAO reports a setback in the war against hunger, but some countries made notable progress

FAO Electronic Forum: Molecular marker assisted selection as a potential tool for genetic improvement of crops, forest trees, livestock and fish in developing countries

FAO: Increasing fruit and vegetable consumption becomes a global priority

Workshop proceedings: "Marker assisted selection: A fast track to increase genetic gain in plant and animal breeding?"

FAO Food Outlook - November 2003

FAO distributes seeds to drought-stricken farmers in Ethiopia

October 03

FAO: Increasing fruit and vegetable consumption becomes a global priority

United Nations launches major international drive to increase the production of rice

Rise of supermarkets across Africa threatens small farmers

September 03

FAO Food Outlook Preview September 2003

August 03

FAO's Global Information and Early Warning System (GIEWS) launches its website in Chinese

Afghanistan reaps largest ever cereals harvest

Status of Agricultural Biotechnology and Biosafety in Selected Countries of the Balkans, the Caucasus and Moldova - an FAO report

July 03

Codex Alimentarius Commission adopts more than 50 new food standards; new guidelines on genetically modified and irradiated food

June 03

UN food safety and trade standards commission opens meeting

FAO/WFP Report on Crop and Food Supply in Mozambique

FAO/WFP report severe shortage of maize seed in Zimbabwe

May 03

Eritrea: Cereal and legume seeds to save the 2003 crop - new FAO project helps drought-affected farmers

The Netherlands provides additional 6.3 million euros for FAO Partnership Programme

April 03

FAO Electronic Forum on Biotechnology in Food and Agriculture: "Regulating GMOs in developing and transition countries"

FAO-BioDeC, new database of crop biotechnology products and techniquesin use in developing countries

March 03

International drive to safeguard world's seed collections gains momentum by convening first meeting of eminent experts

World agriculture: towards 2015/2030', FAO's latest global assessment of the long-term outlook for food and agriculture
 

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