Our planet sustains all life by providing clean air, water, and food. Rural communities, including farmers, fishers, and herders, recognize that their well-being is connected to the health of the earth. Diverse ecosystems support food production and economic prosperity. To support these communities, the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) collaborates with governments to finance sustainable projects, investing $4 billion in sustainable land management and $1.4 billion in climate finance since 2000. From 2018 to 2023, 70% of IFAD projects focused on conserving biodiversity, and 60% promoted agroecological practices. These initiatives empower rural people to care for the environment while benefiting from its resources.

Lutfi Çetin, an expert in rust research with over 30 years of experience, is inspecting wheat fields in Türkiye, where the threat of rust infections looms large. Wheat is crucial for food security in Central Asia and the Caucasus, but airborne fungal diseases known as wheat rusts—such as yellow, leaf, and stem rust—pose a significant global threat, destroying up to 15 million tonnes of grain annually. These rust strains, which have evolved and spread more rapidly than in the past, require effective long-term management through surveillance and the development of disease-resistant wheat varieties. In response to this challenge, a coalition of scientists, farmers, and governments from several Central Asian countries, supported by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and Türkiye, is working together to strengthen defenses against these pathogens.

Plant health is the foundation of food security and is thus at the core of the One Health approach. FAO and the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) are taking action to protect plant health by promoting sustainable agricultural practices, healthy soils and water, and by promoting plant health standards for safe trade.

In the countries of the Central American Integration System (SICA) lies the Dry Corridor, considered one of the most vulnerable ecoregions to climate variability and change. It is characterized by long periods of drought with rising temperatures or intense rainfall. People dependent on agriculture are the most affected socially, economically, and environmentally, with serious consequences for their food security and nutrition. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) works with Central American governments to promote innovative solutions that support the work, leadership, and knowledge of women and men in preparing, alongside their rural communities, to face climate change, the degradation of natural resources, and limited access to technology and innovation — all key to achieving inclusive rural development, thus strengthening resilience and improving livelihoods.

A new silk farming industry is emerging in Mukono, Uganda, managed by Waiswa Aggrey Mubeerwa for the Seres Textile Company Limited. Established in 2019, the facility awaits the arrival of an extracting machine to begin exporting silk. This initiative is part of a South-South Cooperation (SSC) project implemented by FAO, working with the Ugandan government and China's Ministry of Agriculture. Uganda's climate is ideal for mulberry trees, the sole food for silkworms. With proper training and resources, farmers can significantly increase their income, as a kilogram of silk can earn around USD 50 in China. By the end of 2024, the project had distributed 200,000 mulberry cuttings and trained 44 farmers. The SSC project aims to enhance agricultural productivity across Uganda, benefiting 70,000 farmers in various sectors, transitioning from subsistence farming to commercial operations essential for poverty alleviation.

In Nawalpur District, Nepal, a group of women in Binayi Triveni, led by Meena Poudel, is transforming forest management into a thriving local economy. By clearing underbrush that previously contributed to wildfires, they have significantly reduced forest fire incidents by 70% over the past year. Meena serves as the Secretary of the Binayi Community Forest User Group, which focuses on responsible forest stewardship. Their efforts have led to the production of over 60,000 kilograms of organic fertilizer annually, with plans to more than double that output. This initiative represents a proactive approach to environmental challenges, turning risks into economic opportunities.

Givi Chubinidze, a winemaker from Georgia's Imereti region, carries on his family's winemaking tradition, which has been passed down for generations. His ancestors cultivated indigenous grape varieties like tsitska, krakhuna, and adanasuri, and Givi named his wines Nanua after an ancestor who served as a royal wine-cellar keeper. Currently, he cultivates around 120 endemic grapevine varieties on his land to adapt to climate change, believing these grapes embody Georgia's cultural heritage. In 2024, Givi received a matching grant from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) through the European Neighbourhood Program for Agriculture and Rural Development (ENPARD) to enhance his wine production by integrating modern food safety standards with traditional methods, aiding rural development and food safety in the region.

Mireille, Eloi, and Daniel transformed their agricultural businesses in Benin by utilizing RuralInvest for growth and funding.

On the global market, the asaí berry is widely promoted as a superfood, brimming with antioxidants that boost the immune system, protect cellular integrity and alleviate inflammation. However, for the Porvenir Indigenous Peoples’ community in Bolivia, the asaí palm is worth so much more than its fruits’ nutritional and health benefits. These trees are a precious natural resource that sustains their livelihoods and their environments. Before, the community harvested the asaí palm by chopping down entire trees for their fibrous cores, which were processed and sold as heart of palm. Now, thanks to asaí berry production, the community has eliminated the need to cut down palm trees, protecting both the species and their future earnings.

Alex Sybron, 33, transitioned from a budding cricket career to becoming the Chief Plant Breeding Officer at Jamaica's Bodles Research Station, focusing on improving seed quality for the agricultural sector. Encouraged by his mother to pursue education after a potential injury, he discovered a passion for plants. Collaborating with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Sybron’s team works to ensure disease- and pest-free seeds, which are vital for enhancing crop productivity. Jamaican hot peppers, known for their unique heat and flavor, are a primary export, but issues like low seed quality and poor planting practices challenge production. Training sessions for farmers emphasize best practices to improve yield and combat plant diseases.

On International Women's Day, Anta and her friends in Senegal benefit from the Agrijeunes project, developing agribusinesses with IFAD's support, empowering rural youth.

Family farming is crucial for global food security, producing over 80% of the world’s food, with FAO working to strengthen policies and support sustainable agricultural development.

Biodiversity is essential for food security and the environment, involving diverse agricultural practices such as using indigenous seeds, combining crops, and restoring pollinator populations. Our agrifood systems depend on a wide variety of domesticated and wild species, but biodiversity is declining due to factors like land use changes, climate change and over-exploitation. In Luweero District, Uganda, Jane Nakandi Sebyaala, a coffee and banana farmer, leads the Twezimbe Kassala Community Seed Bank, which focuses on preserving indigenous seeds. These seeds can be replanted multiple times and flourish without heavy chemical inputs. Following training by the Food and Agricultutral Organization (FAO), Jane and her community began collecting and planting indigenous seeds, resulting in healthier, more resilient crop yields, particularly maize and beans.

Nino Kavtaradze, a skilled producer of dried fruits, jams, and distinctive Georgian cheeses, has relied on her income to support her health after being diagnosed with cancer nearly 20 years ago. The sales of dried fruits and tklapi [sheets of dried fruit puree which roll up like leather] helped cover her medical expenses while she underwent chemotherapy and managed her home-based business in the northwestern mountains of Georgia. Her resilience led her to become a Lead Farmer in a project aimed at empowering smallholder women dairy farmers. After connecting with a fellow cheese producer involved in a Farmer Field School initiative by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and UN Women, Nino took on the challenge of recruiting participants. She exceeded expectations by bringing together 30 local women dairy farmers.

In the eastern part of Guyana, near the Corentyne Coast, locals farm endemic brackish water shrimp in constructed ponds that combine freshwater from the Canje River and saltwater from the Atlantic Ocean, enhancing the shrimp's unique flavor. Suedat Persaud, a long-time farmer and founder of the East Berbice-Corentyne Aquaculture Cooperative Society Ltd, notes that farming has become challenging due to climate change, including El Niño and La Niña effects. To address these issues, the Government of Guyana began a project in 2021 aimed at improving livelihoods and shrimp production. Training provided by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and Guyana's Fisheries Department introduced better management practices. The initiative also promoted mangrove restoration as part of its sustainable development efforts.