With nearly half of the world’s young people living in rural areas, IFAD highlights how combining skills, finance, entrepreneurship and access to markets can help young people build lasting careers and businesses while strengthening rural economies.

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.

Rural communities are where food systems begin and resilience takes root. Home to many of the world’s poorest people, they face the harsh edge of food insecurity, climate disruption and migration pressures. Yet within these landscapes lies extraordinary promise. With sustained investment, stronger value chains, access to finance and closer links to markets, rural people can transform vulnerability into opportunity, strengthen food security and build more stable futures. To invest in rural areas is to invest in the first mile of a more secure and sustainable world.

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.

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? 

By compensating rural communities for ecosystem services such as reforestation, soil restoration, and carbon sequestration, we can generate income while promoting conservation, climate resilience, and sustainable development.

Before dawn breaks over Nepal’s eastern highlands, 28-year-old Subita Rai tends her herd of 20 yaks and chauris, continuing a tradition many of her peers left behind in search of opportunities abroad. Defying gender norms in a male-dominated profession, she balances herding, family responsibilities, and the growing challenges of climate change. Through support from the  Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations-hosted Mountain Partnership Secretariat and partners, Subita gained training and access to cheese-processing facilities, enabling her family to turn perishable yak milk into higher-value artisanal cheese. The shift has reduced losses, improved income stability, and strengthened local livelihoods. Now a cooperative board member, Subita represents a new generation of women pastoralists building resilient futures in Nepal’s mountain communities.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Global Environment Facility are working across 140 countries to transform agrifood systems so they deliver food security, climate resilience, biodiversity protection and land restoration together. Their partnership supports solutions that improve incentives, policies and investments for farmers and rural communities. Examples include Indigenous-led forest restoration in Peru that strengthens biodiversity and livelihoods, conservation agriculture in Iraq that boosts yields and reduces water use, and regional cooperation in Central Asia to restore degraded river ecosystems. In Pakistan, banana waste is being converted into textile fibres, reducing pollution and creating new incomes. Since 2006, the partnership has combined science, funding and local knowledge to scale sustainable practices, for a more resilient and sustainable future globally.