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HomePosts Tagged "FAO" (Page 3)
Dairy, Foodgrains, Oilseeds, Pulses, Vegetables, World

FAO Food Price Index increases, amid higher international quotations for sugar, meat and rice, while prices for wheat, maize, dairy products and vegetable oils decline

The benchmark index of international food commodity prices rose in April for the first time in a year, amid increases in world quotations for sugar, meat and rice, the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) reported.

The FAO Food Price Index, which tracks monthly changes in the international prices of commonly-traded food commodities, averaged 127.2 points in April 2023, up 0.6 per cent from March.

At that level, the Index was 19.7 per cent below its level in April 2022, but still 5.2 per cent higher than in April 2021.

The FAO Sugar Price Index rose 17.6 per cent from March, reaching its highest level since October 2011, due to reduced productions expectations and outcomes in India, China, Thailand and the European Union caused by dry weather conditions as well as to a slow start of the sugarcane crop harvest in Brazil, along with higher international crude oil prices, which can increase demand for sugarcane-based ethanol.

The FAO Meat Price Index rose 1.3 per cent during the month, driven primarily by higher pig meat quotations, followed by poultry prices, which increased amid Asian import demand and production curbs spurred by animal health issues. International bovine meat prices also increased due to a decline in cattle supplies for slaughter, especially in the United States of America.

In the meantime, price indices for other major food commodity categories, with the exception of rice, continued their declining trend.

The FAO Cereal Price Index dipped 1.7 per cent from March and averaged 19.8 per cent below its April 2022 value. International wheat prices declined by 2.3 per cent, due mostly to large exportable availabilities in Australia and the Russian Federation. World maize prices fell 3.2 per cent as supplies in South America seasonally increased with ongoing harvests. On the other hand, against a backdrop of reduced harvests caused by higher input costs and adverse weather, especially outside of Asia, sales to Asian buyers sustained an increase in international rice prices.

“It is important that we continue to track very closely the evolution of prices and the reasons for increases in prices. As economies recover from significant slowdowns, demand will increase, exerting upward pressure on food prices,” said Maximo Torero, FAO Chief Economist. “At the same time, the increase in rice prices is extremely worrisome and it is essential that the Black Sea initiative is renewed to avoid any other spikes in wheat and maize,” he added.

The FAO Vegetable Oil Price Index declined by 1.3 per cent in the month, registering its fifth consecutive monthly decline. World palm oil prices were stable, while quotations for soy, rapeseed and sunflower oils declined in step with seasonal harvest pressure from a potentially record soybean crop in Brazil.

The FAO Dairy Price Index dropped by 1.7 per cent, impacted by the persistent slack global import demand for milk powders and higher cheese export availabilities in Western Europe.

FAO Food Price Index increases, amid higher

Foodgrains, Oilseeds, Supply Chain, Sustainability, Trade, World

The FAO Food Price Index, which tracks monthly changes in the international prices of commonly-traded food commodities

The benchmark index of international food commodity prices declined for the 12th consecutive month in March, driven by declines in world quotations for cereals and vegetable oils, the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO).

The FAO Food Price Index, which tracks monthly changes in the international prices of commonly-traded food commodities, averaged 126.9 points in March 2023, down 2.1 per cent from the previous month and 20.5 per cent below its peak level of March 2022. A mix of ample supplies, subdued import demand and the extension of the Black Sea Grain Initiative contributed to the drop.

The FAO Cereal Price Index declined 5.6 per cent from February, with international wheat prices falling by 7.1 per cent, pushed down by strong output in Australia, improved European Union crop conditions, high Russian Federation supplies, and ongoing exports from Ukraine from its Black Sea ports. World maize prices fell by 4.6 per cent, partly due to expectations of a record harvest in Brazil. Meanwhile, rice eased by 3.2 per cent amid ongoing or imminent harvests in major exporting countries, including India, Viet Nam and Thailand.

The FAO Vegetable Oil Price Index averaged 3.0 per cent lower than the previous month and 47.7 per cent below its March 2022 level, as ample world supplies and subdued global import demand pushed down soy, rapeseed and sunflower oil quotations. That more than offset higher palm oil prices, which rose due to lower output levels in Southeast Asia due to flooding and temporary export restrictions imposed by Indonesia.

“While prices dropped at the global level, they are still very high and continue to increase in domestic markets, posing additional challenges to food security. This is particularly so in net food-importing developing countries, with the situation aggravated by the depreciation of their currencies against the USA dollar or the Euro and mounting debt burden,” stressed Máximo Torero, FAO Chief Economist.

The FAO Dairy Price Index declined 0.8 per cent in March. Butter prices increased due to solid import demand, while cheese dipped due to slower purchases by most leading importers in Asia and increased availabilities in leading exporters.

By contrast, the FAO Sugar Price Index rose by 1.5 per cent from February to its highest level since October 2016, reflecting concerns over declining production prospects in India, Thailand and China. The positive outlook for the sugarcane crops about to be harvested in Brazil limited the upward pressure on prices, as did the decline in international crude oil prices, which reduced demand for ethanol.

The FAO Meat Price Index rose slightly, by 0.5 per cent. International bovine meat quotations rose, influenced by rising internal prices in the United States of America on expectations of lower supplies moving forward, while pig meat prices rose due to increased demand in Europe ahead of the holidays. Despite avian influenza outbreaks in several large exporting countries, world poultry meat prices fell for the ninth consecutive month on subdued global import demand.

The FAO Food Price Index, which tracks monthly

Acquaculture, Environment, People, R&D, Sustainability, World

International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture closes with many concrete results

The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) marked the close of a global year-long campaign focused on small-scale artisanal fishers, fish farmers and fish workers, underlining the need to keep the momentum going.

With over 260 events held in 68 countries, the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture 2022 (IYAFA), “celebrated the millions of people working in small-scale artisanal fisheries and aquaculture – including some 45 million women small-scale fishers – who produce 40 per cent of all the fish we eat,” QU Dongyu, FAO Director-General said at the closing ceremony, adding: “They are stewards of valuable ecosystems, and of longstanding traditions and cultures.”

Mainly carried out by families, sometimes with a handful of workers, small-scale artisanal fisheries and aquaculture (or fish and seafood farming) add up to a massive subsector. Small-scale fisheries provide livelihoods for nearly half a billion people globally – 95 per cent of them operating in the global south.

Yet the workforce includes some of the communities most vulnerable to environmental degradation, biodiversity loss, climate impacts and economic shocks, as they contribute to the management of aquatic resources in the world’s oceans, rivers and lakes.  

To raise awareness of their role, the FAO-led campaign, supported by a wide array of partners, helped forge and strengthen partnerships among small-scale artisanal fisheries and aquaculture workers and other stakeholders. Examples of this are the Ibero-American Network for Small-Scale Artisanal Fishing (RIPAPE) and the Maghreb and North African Platform for Artisanal Fishery.

An important body of new research carried out during IYAFA 2022 has added to our knowledge about sustainable small-scale fisheries, including the recently launched Illuminating Hidden Harvests report, by FAO, Duke University and World Fish, which investigates the contributions of small-scale fisheries to sustainable development.

The IYAFA 2022 Final Report highlights the significant number of declarations, calls to action and statements made by partners, at national, regional and global levels, as well as provide recommendations to further support the subsector. These include the areas of environmental, social and economic sustainability, governance, gender equality and equity, food security and nutrition, resilience and youth participation.

All these recommendations are aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals and FAO’s aspiration of the 4 Betters – Better Production, Better Nutrition, a Better Environment, and a Better Life, leaving no one behind. This is supported by FAO’s Blue Transformation vision to change the way the world manages, uses and conserves its aquatic resources to end hunger and poverty.

Although IYAFA 2022 is ending, “it should not be the end, but a new beginning where we continue to amplify the voices of small-scale artisanal fishers and support the development of inclusive small-scale artisanal fisheries and aquaculture national plans and strategies,” the FAO Director-General said.

International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture

Agrotech, Environment, Foodgrains, R&D, Sustainability, World

Seeds from the IAEA and FAO laboratories were sent to space on November 7, 2022

The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) held an event in Vienna to mark the imminent return to Earth of seeds that were sent into space four months ago.

Seeds from the IAEA and FAO laboratories belonging to the Arabidopsis and Sorghum varieties travelled in an uncrewed cargo shuttle from NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility to space on November 7, 2022. While in space, they were exposed to the prevailing conditions — a complex mixture of cosmic radiation, microgravity and extreme temperatures — inside and outside the International Space Station (ISS).

Upon their return, which is expected to happen in early April, scientists at the Joint FAO/IAEA Centre of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture plan to grow the seeds and screen them for useful traits to better understand space-induced mutations and identify new varieties.

The ground-breaking experiment aims to develop new crops that can adapt to climate change and help boost global food security. With the world’s population estimated to reach almost 10 billion by 2050, there’s a clear need for innovative solutions through science and technology aimed at producing more food, as well as crops that are more resilient and farming methods that are more sustainable.

The meeting in Vienna, which was designed to inform students, partners and the public about space science and nuclear techniques in plant breeding, saw opening statements from QU Dongyu FAO Director-General and Rafael Mariano Grossi, IAEA Director-General as well as interventions from Kayla Barron, NASA Astronaut who discussed her experience working and carrying out experiments at the ISS.

“This is the science that could have a real impact on people’s lives in the not-too-distant future, by helping us grow stronger crops and feed more people,” the IAEA Director General said. “IAEA and FAO scientists may have already been mutating seeds for 60 years and creating thousands of stronger crops for the world to use, but this is the first time we have experimented with such an exciting field as astrobiology,” said Grossi.

Seeds from the IAEA and FAO laboratories

Foodgrains, Institutions, Sustainability, World

The programme aims to improve food security and nutrition in the least Developed Countries

The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) and the UN Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) have jointly launched the Agrifood Systems Transformation Accelerator (ASTA), a global programme designed to help Least Developed Countries make their agrifood systems more efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable by fostering partnerships and generating public-private investments. 

The launch took place during a bilateral meeting between FAO Director-General QU Dongyu and his UNIDO counterpart, Gerd Mueller, on the sidelines of the Fifth UN Conference on Least Developed Countries (LDCs) in Doha, Qatar.

ASTA is the first centrepiece of a new collaboration between FAO and UNIDO and helps generate investment in the agrifood system of some of the world’s poorest countries, including through the development of value chains, market systems, business models and inclusive finance, in order to help achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

“Addressing the future of agrifood systems requires a holistic view covering many topics, such as the climate crisis, agricultural production, value chain efficiency, inclusion, nutrition, land use and biodiversity, among others. ASTA offers a concrete tool to help countries realize the objective of agrifood systems transformation,” Qu said.

“ASTA identifies investment opportunities and helps channel those investments into food value chains. With such efforts, FAO and UNIDO are natural partners. Our expertise and efforts complement each other. I am very proud of our cooperation with FAO,” Mueller said.

The programme aims to improve food security

Foodgrains, R&D, Start ups, Sustainability, World

A selection of enterprises that are helping transform agrifood systems are to receive tailor-made help

The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) and the SEED partnership officially launched the SDG Agrifood Accelerator Programme, an instrument designed to help agrifood system start-ups develop their businesses while contributing to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Alternative approaches and innovative solutions are needed to transform global agrifood systems in the face of challenges such as rapid population growth, economic downturns, extreme climates and changing consumption patterns.

During a virtual event held at FAO’s headquarters in Rome, 12 innovators from around the world used a workshop to showcase how they are contributing to the SDGs while supporting such a transformation in their local context.

The small- and medium-sized enterprises were selected among the hundreds that comprise the portfolio of the adelphi-hosted SEED partnership. They are to be supported by the programme in three areas: financial readiness, innovation potential, and market reach. The kind of help they will receive includes assistance in the development of business, marketing or investment plans, as well as advice on how to approach potential financiers or how to go digital.

“Together with SEED we want to explore how the innovators involved can make a difference in the transformation of agrifood systems locally as we work towards achieving the SDGs globally,” said Stefanos Fotiou, Director of FAO’s Office of Sustainable Development Goals. “Leveraging the network of innovators from SEED and nurturing local agrifood solutions through a tailored innovation support package opens new ways for FAO to have an on-the-ground impact.”

A selection of enterprises that are helping

Agri Genomics, Animal Health, India

B N Tripathi, Deputy Director General (Animal Sciences), ICAR, and the National Coordinator, Vice-chaired the Session and also act as Rapporteur.

In the recently concluded 12th Session of the Intergovernmental Technical Working Group (ITWG) on Animal Genetic Resources (AnGR) at Rome, India was elected as Vice-chair and represented Asia & Pacific region. B N Tripathi, Deputy Director General (Animal Sciences), ICAR, and the National Coordinator, Vice-chaired the Session and also act as Rapporteur.

The Working Group was established by the FAO’s Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (CGRFA), functions to review technical issues; advise and make recommendations to the Commission and further implement the Commission’s programme related to AnGR at the global level. 

In the 12th Session of ITWG, implementation of the Global Plan of Action for Animal Genetic Resources, monitoring of AnGR diversity and preparing the 3rd Country Report were reviewed.  Further agenda points on the role of microorganisms relevant to ruminant digestion, the role of genetic resources in mitigating and adapting to climate change; access and benefit-sharing for AnGR; digital sequence information and potential implications for the conservation and sustainable use of genetic resources were discussed.

Earlier to the ITWG Session, the Global National Coordinators’ Workshop was held at FAO Head Quarter. In the Workshop, B N Tripathi shared the country’s experience in updating data in Domestic Animal Diversity – Information System (DAD-IS) and presented a framework for cataloguing native populations including breed registration, notification system etc. National priorities for germplasm cryopreservation and documenting non-descript AnGR to fulfil SDG indicators were appreciated by the members.

B N Tripathi, Deputy Director General (Animal

Europe, Sustainability

IYM2023 to provide an opportunity to increase global production and promotion of millets as a major component of the food basket

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, organised an opening ceremony for the International Year of Millets – 2023 (IYM2023) in Rome, Italy. An Indian delegation led by Sushri Shobha Karandlaje, Minister of State, Agriculture & Farmers Welfare along with Shubha Thakur, Joint Secretary (Crops), DA&FW and other senior officials were present at the opening ceremony. During the event, India’s ceremonial message by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi was conveyed by Sushri Shobha Karandlaje.

Sushri Shobha Karandlaje conveyed PM Modi’s compliments to the United Nations for declaring the Year 2023 as the International Year of Millets. PM, through his message, thanked the global community for supporting India’s proposal to mark the International Year of Millets (IYM) and said that India will steer the IYM2023 celebrations worldwide and organise campaigns to promote the cultivation and consumption of Millets, He also mentioned that Millets are good for the consumer, cultivator and climate. Millets are nutritious and can be cultivated in semi-arid zones besides consuming less water for irrigation. There is need for diversity on our land and our dining tables. Raising awareness to create ‘Millet Mindfulness’ is an important part of this movement.

Speaking on the occasion, Director General, FAO, QU Dongyu said the IYM2023 will provide with a unique opportunity to give visibility to crops that have great potential to strengthen global nutrition, food security, decent jobs & economies, while accelerating Climate Action. Millets are basically Asian crops, climate resilient, lead to sustainable development and help ensure Food Security & Nutrition for all, he said.

IYM2023 to provide an opportunity to increase

Acquaculture, India

To focus on gender issues in aquaculture and fisheries sector pertaining to rights of equality of women

The 8th Global Conference on ‘Gender in Aquaculture and Fisheries (GAF8)’, jointly organised by ICAR – Central Institute of Fisheries Technology, Kochi; Gender in Aquaculture and Fisheries Section of the Asian Fisheries Society and the Society of Fisheries Technologists (India) (SOFTI) was officially inaugurated by the Governor of Kerala Arif Mohammed Khan.

In his inaugural address, he emphasised that the GAF8 will be discussing the intertwined gender issues in aquaculture and fisheries sector pertaining to the rights of equality of the unsung majority of women as compared to their male counterparts. Lamenting on the poor socio-economic status of the fisher women with respect to gender inequality and inequity, he said that in spite of the large-scale contributions of women in the several areas in the fishing industry, their services for the sectoral development have not been duly acknowledged. So, he urged the delegates to find out potential solutions to resolve these issues through fruitful deliberations on this global platform.  

The conference which is being held at Kochi, is the eighth in the global series, themed on ‘Shaping the Future: Gender Justice for Sustainable Aquaculture & Fisheries’ through various sub-themes pertaining to gender issues and related policies in the fisheries sector. The conference aims to bring forward gender issues in the aquaculture and fisheries sector on a common global platform for gaining new insights and establishing networks of stakeholders associated with fisheries and discuss potential solutions through the gendered lens.

The conference has brought together over 300 scientists, academicians, gender experts, policymakers and students from India and abroad. Delegates from 20 countries will present papers in GAF8. Besides six focal themes, there are 10 Special Sessions have been arranged by international and national organisations, including the FAO, Pacific Community, BOBP, ICSF etc. In addition, two special events are being hosted along with GAF8. 

To focus on gender issues in aquaculture

India, Seeds

Federation of Seed Industry of India (FSII) has donated Rs 20 lakh to the Benefit Sharing Fund of Food and Agriculture Organisation’s (FAO) International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA). The donation was made at the ninth session of the governing body of the ITPGRFA in New Delhi.

Commenting on the development, Dr Arvind Kapur, vice chairman, FSII said, “Today, we would like to make a donation of Rs 20 lakh as an addition to the other financial contributions regularly made by the seed sector globally. However, I would like to highlight that the non-financial contributions of the seed sector towards food security are in no way comparable to this donation.”

Elaborating on the significance of the treaty, Dr Ajai Rana, vice chairman, FSII said, “The treaty is of particular importance for the FSII members as it provides a fair and simple mechanism for access and benefit sharing of germplasm, critical to breed varieties adapted to the local needs of Indian farmers. Every day, the seed sector across the world is working to provide farmers with the varieties that can help them make a decent living out of their hard work.” The ITPGRFA is a specialised international regime designed to facilitate the conservation and sustainable use of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture i.e., germplasm. It is harmonised with international regimes that support conservation, sustainable use and fair and equitable benefit sharing for all organisms, specifically the CBD and the Nagoya Protocol on access and benefit sharing.

Federation of Seed Industry of India (FSII)

AgroPolicy, India

The session laid out India’s plan for celebrating IYOM 2023 across the world to work towards putting Millets on every plate.

 FAO side event on International Year of Millets (IYOM) 2023 was held during the Ninth Session of the Governing Body (GB-9) of the International Treaty (Food and Agricultural Organisation) being hosted by the Government of India in New Delhi

The side event on IYOM-2023 focussed on celebrating Millets’ farmers. Shubha Thakur, Joint Secretary (Crops), Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare gave a brief presentation showcasing India’s preparedness for IYOM 2023 and how India is gearing up to work closely with farmers and the entire value chain to put Millets on every plate. The presentation also touched upon the concerted efforts of 19 Ministries to run awareness drives and G2B, B2B and B2C conversations across India and the global community at large for IYOM-2023. She laid special emphasis on millets at the centre of food security and crop diversity as a solution for farmers’ betterment, as a run-up to the IYOM 2023.

The panel discussion, chaired by Shubha Thakur, had participation from Millets’ experts, including Dr Dayakar Rao B., Principal Scientist, ICAR-IIMR; Ms Manisha Bhasin, Corporate Chef, ITC Hotels; Dr Arvind Kumar, Deputy Director General (Research), ICRISAT; Rohit Chaudhary, Director Development, Akshaya Patra Foundation;  P. C. Chaudhary, Director of Agriculture and Food Production, Odisha;  Vijay Patil, representative from Karnataka Millets Mission;  Vishala Reddy, Founder, Millet Bank (start-up);  Sharmila Oswal, Founder, Basillia Organics (start-up);  Konda Chavva, OIC, FAO India; and Jainendra Singh, Assistant Director (Programme), All India Radio who moderated the session.

         The session laid out India’s plan for celebrating IYOM 2023 across the world to work towards putting Millets on every plate. The event also had a provision of stalls which were set-up by various millet start-ups and FPOs to showcase their products. The session was followed by a specially curated millet lunch for all the attendees.

The session laid out India’s plan for

Inputs, Seeds

The MoU will support the farmers for adopting the sustainable Agri-food systems

The Government of Andhra Pradesh has signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and Indian Council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi on the Technical Cooperation Project (TCP) for strengthening the capacities to support the farmers for adopting the sustainable agri-food systems.

YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, Chief Minister, Andhra Pradesh outlined the setting-up of the Rythu Bharosa Kendras (RBKs) as a part of an effort for weeding out the fake seeds, pesticides and fertilisers from the markets. The chief minister stated about the measures that are taken to ensure remunerative prices to the farmers.

The RBKs are the One Stop Shops for supplying the Government Certified Agri Inputs (Seeds, Fertilisers & Pesticides), Animal Husbandry & Fisheries Inputs to the farmers and have an attached Workshop/Knowledge Centre for providing the Scientific Agro-Advisories to the farmers.

Currently, 10,778 RBKs are operating in the state that are integrated Centres offering various agriculture-related services under one roof. The ICAR through its Research Institutes and Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) Network will provide the RBKs with the latest technologies and help in capacity building.

Poonam Malakondaiah, Agriculture Special Chief Secretary, Government of Andhra Pradesh; Tomio Shichiri, Country Director, FAO, India and Dr Ashok Kumar Singh, Deputy Director General (Agricultural Extension), ICAR signed the MoU on the behalf of their respective organisations.

As per the MoU, the FAO will provide technical and financial assistance to RBKs in the State and the ICAR & FAO will work collaboratively towards strengthening the RBKs in the state.

The MoU will support the farmers for