In Mongolia’s Töv province, dairy farmer Otgo Dashdorj sings to keep her cows calm — and producing more milk. After 27 years as nomadic herders, she and her husband settled three years ago as harsher winters, drought and degrading grasslands made traditional herding increasingly difficult. Now, with support from the Food and Agriculture Organization and partners, Otgo is using better feed, digital tools and climate-smart farming practices to strengthen her business. She hopes to double her herd to 40 cows and eventually pass the farm — and her secret of singing to happy cows — to her veterinarian son.

The Global Partnership Programme for Transboundary Animal Diseases (GPP-TAD) strengthens global partnerships to prevent, control and eliminate transboundary animal diseases, protecting food security, livelihoods, trade and resilient agrifood systems.

Family farming registries are administrative systems that collect information on family farmers and their households. By providing reliable and up-to-date data, they help governments better understand who family farmers are, how they produce, and the challenges they face. This information supports the design of more inclusive and effective policies, more efficient resource allocation, and better coordination across sectors, from agriculture and social protection to education, health, and the environment. Registries also contribute to monitoring and evaluating public policies, strengthening support for family farming and promoting more sustainable, resilient, and inclusive agrifood systems.

“Food takes time, but we will feel [price rises] and then people will start to react. But we need to do as much as we can to assure that we inform the world what amount of food we have to avoid export restrictions, to avoid less food, and to avoid uncertainties. Because uncertainties by itself can increase prices. So that's a little bit of the job that we have.”

Máximo Torero Cullen is one of the world’s leading voices on global hunger and food security. Currently serving as Chief Economist at the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), he uses his economic expertise to work towards the goal of a world where nobody goes to bed hungry.

“I have been through many problems in life, which I have learned a lot as an economist. I was in the hyperinflation in Peru. I was in wars in Peru and terrorism... I have been in massive earthquake situations. So I have seen a lot, but I never expected how complex this sector would become.”

FAO partners with governments around the world to invest in areas with untapped agricultural potential, transforming lives in rural farming communities. It also works to secure the global food supply during crises such as the pandemic, the war in Ukraine, or the crisis in Strait of Hormuz. In this episode, Máximo Torero Cullen reflects on the process of dampening food price shocks, on investing in sustainable nutrition, and shares why he always trusts the knowledge of farmers.

Photo: ©FAO/Alessandra Benedetti

Millions of people with food allergies rely on labels such as “may contain nuts” to make safe choices, but these warnings are often used inconsistently or unnecessarily. New guidelines adopted by the Codex Alimentarius Commission introduce the first risk- and science-based thresholds for precautionary allergen labelling. Developed from years of FAO and WHO expert research, the guidance aims to ensure warnings are used only when cross-contact cannot be adequately controlled and allergen levels pose a genuine risk. The approach could make labels more reliable for consumers while allowing more food products to be safely available and supporting consistent standards in international trade.

At a seed fair in southern Malawi, farmers showcased biscuits, flours and other products made from sorghum and cowpea, two nutritious, drought-resistant crops once widely grown but sidelined as maize came to dominate agriculture. The event formed part of an FAO-led initiative under the AWSAMe initiative to revive these "opportunity crops" and strengthen resilience to water scarcity. Working with Malawi's Ministry of Agriculture, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) trained researchers, tested drought-tolerant varieties and involved farmers in selecting preferred crops. Cooking demonstrations and business training highlighted new income opportunities, helping communities improve nutrition, adapt to climate change and restore agricultural biodiversity.

Agrifood systems sustain life by connecting food production, distribution, and resources, while resilient systems help protect food supplies amid climate change and global challenges.

The New World Screwworm (NWS) is not a worm but a parasitic fly whose larvae burrow into living tissue, causing painful and potentially fatal infestations in livestock, wildlife, pets and, occasionally, humans. Resurging across the Americas, it threatens animal health, food production, trade and rural livelihoods. NWS spreads through the movement of infested animals, migrating wildlife and adult flies crossing borders, making surveillance and international cooperation essential. A proven solution is the Sterile Insect Technique, which has successfully eradicated the pest in several countries. The Foood and Agriculture Organization (FAO), together with partners, supports countries through surveillance, veterinary training, early warning systems, emergency assistance and regional coordination to prevent, control and ultimately eradicate NWS.

The 2026 State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World (SOFI) report shows that global hunger declined for the third consecutive year, with an estimated 645 million people affected in 2025. Despite this progress, major regional disparities persist, with Africa continuing to bear the highest burden of hunger and the greatest difficulty in accessing affordable, healthy diets. The report warns that conflict, climate shocks, economic instability and rising food costs continue to threaten food security, underscoring the need for stronger investments in resilient food systems and equitable access to nutritious food to achieve Zero Hunger by 2030.

As the morning mist lifts over Rwanda’s rolling hills, thousands of tea pickers begin work on one of the country’s most valuable crops. Behind every carefully plucked leaf is a story of resilience, smallholder farmers and a national effort to produce premium-quality tea while protecting livelihoods. With support for sustainable farming, stronger value chains and a renewed focus on quality, Rwanda is turning its dramatic landscape into an economic advantage. From hillside plantations to teacups around the world, the country is brewing a future where agriculture creates opportunity, empowers rural communities and helps lift families out of poverty.

Six remarkable tea-producing regions have been recognized as Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems for unique landscapes, traditions, and generations-old farming practices.

Inspired by the date-growing traditions of southern Tunisia, agricultural scientist Kaouther Aounallah returned to her hometown to launch Sweet Jana, a bakery creating nutritious, date-based products. With support from the FAO Agri-Accelerator programme, she strengthened her business through coaching, funding, and technical guidance, expanding its economic, social, and environmental impact. Her enterprise promotes healthier snacks, preserves local traditions, creates jobs, and empowers women and young people in a region where opportunities are limited. Kaouther's journey shows how innovation rooted in local heritage can drive sustainable rural development and strengthen communities.

Sustainable gastronomy, the art of preparing and enjoying local food in a way that protects natural resources, considers how ingredients are grown, sourced and brought to our plates. It reflects sustainability by ensuring food systems can continue into the future without harming the environment or human health.

This year's Sustainable Gastonomy Day, FAO Goodwill Ambassadors and Champions help bring these principles to life by promoting awareness of sustainable, local and responsible food practices worldwide.

What’s on your plate may not always be what it seems. As seafood travels through increasingly complex global supply chains, opportunities for fraud grow—from mislabeled species and diluted products to counterfeit brands and illegally sourced catches. The consequences extend beyond consumer deception, affecting food safety, honest businesses, and the health of marine ecosystems. New tools, stronger traceability, and international collaboration are helping expose fraudulent practices and protect the integrity of one of the world’s most traded food commodities. Could the fish you bought really be the fish you ordered?