Livestock intensification in developing countries, especially in Africa and Asia, may increase the incidence of epidemics that kill both humans and animals, the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) warns. Livestock numbers are rising sharply due to population growth and the rise in…

Displacement continues to rise in the Americas, Asia, Europe and the Middle East. But the good news is that this year’s Global Overview shows a steady decline in IDP numbers in Africa, dating back from 2004. This positive trend gives us hope. Indeed, the African continent remains at the…

This paper explores, conceptually and empirically, the question of how much food is produced by women. Data for labour inputs and agricultural output are used to assess women’s contribution to food and agricultural production. The study also assesses gender differences in productivity. The paper…

The United Nations climate change talks in Cancun changed the shape of REDD+ negotiations and global forest policies. What effect will the decisions from the talks have on forests and forest users in Asia and the Pacific? Eleven climate change and forestry experts gathered to reflect on these…

At the High-Level Meeting on Food Security for All hosted in early January 2009 by the Spanish government in Madrid, stakeholders from more than 126 countries deliberated how to assure food security for all in developed and developing countries alike. The high level meeting carried forward the…

The outcome of the Madrid High-Level Meeting on Food Security can be considered a victory for those who want to see the multilateral governance of the global food and agriculture system improved and strengthened, and conducted within the Right to Adequate Food framework.

In 1991, Terminology for Grazing Lands and Grazing Animals was published with the objective of ‘developing a consensus of clear definitions of terms used in the grazing of animals.’ This first effort involved primarily organizations and agencies within the USA but included representation from…

 Land is a scarce resource increasingly affected by the competition of mutually exclusive uses. Fertile land in rural areas becomes scarcer due to population growth, pollution, erosion and desertification, effects of climate change, urbanization etc. On the remaining land, local, national and…

The economic dimension of desertification, land degradation and drought (DLDD) is increasingly gaining importance.

For this reason, the UNCCD has launched an initiative to help make the economic side of desertification, land degradation and drought (DLDD) an integral part of policy…

Creating food security, dealing with climate change and promoting economic growth are the challenges facing rural regions of developing countries. Raising agricultural production and making it sustainable are keys to success in coping with these challenges. Land is a pivotal factor of strategies…

The Global Gathering of Women Pastoralists, held from 21-26 November 2010 in Mera (Gujarat), India, brought together over 100 women from herding communities scattered across 32 different countries to discuss the myriad problems faced by nomadic and semi-nomadic women pastoralists worldwide, and…

This brief produced for the <strong>Dialogue Initiative on Large-Scale Land Acquisitions </strong>and their Alternatives provides an overview of the <strong>Principles for Responsible Agricultural Investment </strong>(RAI), developed by the World Bank, FAO, UNCTAD and…