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Family farming registries are administrative systems that collect information on 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 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 () 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.

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 , which has successfully eradicated the pest in several countries. The Foood and Agriculture Organization (), 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 (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 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 , 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? 

In northern Chile, where drought and water scarcity are a growing challenge, the agricultural community of Peña Blanca is turning fog into a vital source of water. Using mesh structures known as fog catchers, residents collect moisture from the coastal camanchaca fog, which condenses into water for crops, ecological restoration and local consumption. Located in the Fray Jorge Biosphere Reserve, the community has refined the system over two decades. Today, 34 fog catchers collect up to 650,000 litres of water annually, making the site one of the largest of its kind in Latin America. Recent support from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and partners has expanded the system, demonstrating how local innovation can help communities adapt to climate change and water scarcity.

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.