FAO Podcasts

The number of hungry people worldwide continues to rise steadily according to the latest joint UN report The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2019. FAO Senior Economist Cindy Holleman explains the trends and how it’s still possible to achieve Zero Hunger. 

Interview: Charlotta Lomas.

There are more than 70 million forcibly displaced people worldwide, which is the highest level in almost 70 years according to UNHCR figures. For World Refugee Day (20 June), we hear from expert Julius Jackson about how FAO responds to protracted crises and helps to support refugees.

Interview: Charlotta Lomas

Illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing is worth an estimated US$23 billion annually, but it’s wreaking havoc on marine resources and the environment. The Port State Measures Agreement (PSMA), introduced in 2016, aims to tackle this global problem. It's the first binding international agreement that specifically targets illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing. To date, 87 States are party to the treaty, with more to follow. To explain how the treaty works, we hear from Manuel Barange, director of Fisheries and Aquaculture, and Matthew Camilleri, senior fisheries officer at FAO.

What would a world without bees look like? For this year's World Bee Day (20th May) we talk to FAO’s Abram Bicksler about the importance of pollinators for ensuring the world's food security.

Producer/Host: Charlotta Lomas Sound technician: Eric Deleu

Lake Turkana is the largest desert salt lake in the world. Situated in Kenya’s northernmost region, the remote lake is rich in biodiversity and is a lifeline for the isolated communities whose economic opportunities there are few and far between. But a local entrepreneur, has come up with novel idea to turn fish skins that would otherwise be discarded – into profit. This Blue Growth initiative is being supported by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).

Producers: Anais Hotin, Charlotta Lomas, Annie Ho. Presenters: Anais Hotin. Photo ©FAO/Luis Tato

Educating children and young people about forests is critical to safeguarding the world's natural resources for future generations. For International Day of Forests (March 21, 2019), students at St George's British International School in Rome, share their views on why forests matter to them.

Students: Albi, Naomi, William, Gabriel, Henry, Abdu, Julian, Jada, Emma and Nicolo from St George's British International School in Rome.

Producer: Charlotta Lomas Sound technician: Eric Deleu Photo: ©FAO/Florita Botts

International Women’s Day is an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of women worldwide and to shine a light on persistent gender inequality. We still have a long way to go in closing the global gender gap, particularly when it comes to the agriculture sectors. Women represent 45 percent of the total agricultural labor force, yet fall short of having the same rights as men to economic and social opportunities. Tacko Ndiaye, FAO's Senior Gender Officer, explains.

Interview: Charlotta Lomas

Bees, soils, trees – even the tiny organisms we can’t even see – all play a vital role in producing the world’s food. Yet, this biodiversity that supports our food and agriculture is in serious decline. So what does that mean for our future food? Dan Leskien from the Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture explains.

Interview: Charlotta Lomas, FAO

Every year 420,000 people die and 600 million people fall ill as a result of food contaminated with bacteria, viruses, parasites, toxins or chemicals. David Massey from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) explains why we should all care about food safety.

Interview: Charlotta Lomas, FAO.

Pakistan has the fourth-highest rate of water consumption in the world. The country’s agriculture sector uses the most amount of fresh water than any other sector. Rainfall has steadily declined over the past few decades and experts warn the country will approach “absolute scarcity” of water by 2025.

In the village of Azizabad in the Pakistan’s eastern Punjab province, farming communities are being hit hard by the lack of fresh water. The impacts of climate change are further intensifying the problem. But with support from UK Aid, the Food and Agriculture Organization has introduced a range of initiatives to build resilient farming systems in affected areas.

Host: Charlotta Lomas Report: Anais Hotin, Greg Delaney