Marine biodiversity is a precious resource – but it has longer been under threat. Today's coral reefs, for example, cover half the area they did in 1950, and nearly 10% of marine life is at risk of extinction.

How can we support small-scale producers who rely on the sea for an income, while protecting it? From aquaculture to the blue economy, we tackle pressing questions about farming and marine life, especially in the context of climate change. We ask experts how coastal communities around the world can safeguard our oceans’ staggering biodiversity while producing food.

Featuring Martina O’Brien, Richard Abila, Mahoussi Assocle, Satu Santala, Paolo Silveri, and Audrey Tchoundi.

This is Farms. Food. Future - a podcast that's good for you, good for the planet and good for farmers. Brought to you by the International Fund for Agricultural Development.

For more information:

https://www.ifad.org/en/web/latest/-/podcast-episode-52

• World Wildlife organization ocean initiatives
• National Biodiversity Data Centre A Heritage Council Programme, Documenting Ireland's Wildlife
• Inclusive Blue Economy Project
• Fisheries and aquaculture
• IFAD Website
• Inclusive Blue Economy Project

In our final episode of the year, we hear from a range of climate leaders and how they plan to tackle some of the planet’s greatest challenges. IFAD Vice-President Gérardine Mukeshimana gives insight into the challenges faced by rural people, followed by fellow IFAD colleagues explaining how we can improve the lives of small-scale farmers.

Xenya Scanlon from UNCCD, tells us about the ongoing battle to combat desertification and what’s in store for 2024. The Secretary General of CITES, Ivonne Higuero, talks to us about human-wildlife coexistence and sustainable species harvesting. Then UNEP’s James Lomax, outlines the 2024 goals for ecosystem preservation. David Ainsworth from CBD explains the balance between conserving biodiversity and global food needs. We introduce you to our newest Recipes for Change chef, Sophie Grigson. Max Cotton updates us on what life is like on a small-scale farm. Finally, Ludovic Larbodière from IUCN discusses water-intensive farming challenges and our Recipes for Change chefs conclude our episode with their holiday wishes for 2024.

This is Farms. Food. Future – a podcast that's good for you, good for the planet and good for farmers brought to you by the International Fund for Agricultural Development.

For more information:

https://www.ifad.org/en/web/latest/-/podcast-episode-51

COP28 is just around the corner – our 50th episode focuses on small-scale farmers and their resilience in the face of climate change. Discover how the Adaptation for Smallholder Agriculture Programme (ASAP) strengthens rural communities.

Jahan-Zeb Chowdhury runs us through IFAD’s initiatives for COP28, followed by climate experts Hisham Zehni and Flavia Perusini. Next up, we take a closer look at the results of ASAP-funded projects: Roshan Cooke tells us all about the latest developments in Nepal and Philippe Remy highlights how incorporating innovative solutions such as the use of biodigesters can promote climate-resilience. We speak to Claus Reiner about the first-ever IFAD-funded project in the heart of Brazil's Maranhão forest, in the Amazon. To conclude, journey back in time with us to revive some of the most inspiring moments and favourite interviews from the podcast.

This is Farms. Food. Future – a podcast that's Good for You, Good for the Planet and Good for Farmers brought to you by the International Fund for Agricultural Development.

For more information:

https://www.ifad.org/en/podcasts/episode50

Rural women are at the heart of the agricultural world. Yet many inequalities persist. Tshering Choden explains how IFAD is actively combatting these existing inequalities. On this note, Philippe Remy follows with captivating success stories from Malawi.

In Latin America, rural women’s leaders speak about closing the gender gap in decision-making. This month we’re also launching a new mini-series on the ACUA Programme with Ilse Loango from Colombia. Then we talk to Hadija Jabiri, founder of EatFresh, about empowering female farmers to address gender inequality, and to Judy Ling Wong, Honorary President of the Black Environmental Network, about the role of diversity in rural spaces. To wrap up this episode, Claire Somerville, Executive Director of the Gender Centre at the Geneva Graduate Institute, tells us about the disparities between gender and global health in rural communities.

This is Farms. Food. Future – a podcast that's Good for You, Good for the Planet and Good for Farmers brought to you by the International Fund for Agricultural Development.

• https://www.ifad.org/en/podcasts/episode49

In this episode, we’re tackling malnutrition. In the spotlight we have an intriguing report on obesity in developing countries. Then we speak to IFAD's Lead Technical Specialist on Nutrition, Joyce Njoro, about the factors driving food inflation and its impact on access to healthy diets. Also in episode 48, Nadine Gbossa shares with us the key findings from this year's UN Food Systems Stocktaking Moment.

Prepare your taste buds for a treat as we introduce our latest Recipes for Change Chef – Walter El Nagar, a renowned chef and advocate for sustainable cuisine. And to end this episode we take you on a journey to Kenya to speak with IFAD's Moses Abukari about the substantial benefits of cultivating one of our top value chain crops in developing countries – sorghum.

This is Farms. Food. Future – a podcast that's Good for You, Good for the Planet and Good for Farmers brought to you by the International Fund for Agricultural Development.

For more information:

https://www.ifad.org/en/podcasts/episode48

The future of farming lies with young farmers and rural youth. But how do we go about engaging young people in agriculture to enhance productivity and empower individuals. That's the question we want answers to in this podcast. First we talk to IFAD’s lead youth expert, Rahul Antao. We also hear from Mollie Brennan about the Decent Work for Equitable Livelihoods Coalition. And then we speak to Emma Federica about the effects the “Grassroots Approach” has on projects.

Following that, we'll have Genna Tesdall, director of Young Professionals for Agricultural Development, guiding us through the opportunities that food systems present for young farmers. Also Jaron Porciello, Co-Director of Hesat2030, discusses the future of AI in food systems. The latest Recipes for Change Chef - Chef Colonna - tells us about combining farm fresh food with gourmet tastes as joins us from his home in Labico, Rome. And to end this episode we hear from The Agricultural Research for Development Unit. A team dedicated to bringing agricultural research from the lab to the field.

This is Farms.Food.Future – a podcast that's Good for You, Good for the Planet and Good for Farmers brought to you by the International Fund for Agricultural Development.

For more information:

• https://www.ifad.org/en/podcasts/episode47

This month we take a deep dive on the issue of remittances and how money sent home can be a force for good in rural development. We talk to IFAD’s Financing Facility for Remittances Pedro de Vasconcelos. Also Bibiana Vasquez speaks to regional work on remittances in Africa. And we hear from David Berno an expert on digital remittances. Plus Guillaume Top talks about the power of remittances in Mali.

Then we take the temperature of the agroecology movement with Prof Miguel Altieri. He’s an advocate of sustainable agriculture. Then there’s another scintillating episode in our ongoing miniseries from the Global Donor Platform for Rural Development. Here we talk data with IFAD’s Jo Puri. And also coming up we meet with the latest Recipes for Change Chef - Chef Saeng, from his home in Los Angeles.

This is Farms.Food.Future – a podcast that's Good for You, Good for the Planet and Good for Farmers brought to you by the International Fund for Agricultural Development.

For more information:

• https://www.ifad.org/en/podcasts/episode46
• www.saengskitchen.com
• www.instagram.com/saengdouangdara
• www.facebook.com/saengdouangdara
• www.youtube.com/saengskitchen
• The Laotian Cook: Traditional recipes from Northern Laos

In this podcast we are looking at Small Island Developing States (SIDS), food security and climate change. We talk to IFAD climate specialist Oliver Page, and we also hear from IFAD projects working with SIDS in the Philippines, Haiti and Tonga.

July sees the UN’s Food Systems Summit Stocktake taking place in Rome. We’ll be talking to Stefanos Fotiou, Director of the UN Food Systems Summit Coordination Hub. Then Max Cotton is back with the third part of our series where we see how he’s coping with the self-sufficient life style on his small holding in the UK. And finally we rejoin our ongoing series with the Global Donor Platform for Rural Development - this time we speak with Nikita Eriksen-Hamel, Deputy Director of Agriculture and Food Systems for Global Affairs Canada.

This is Farms.Food.Future – a podcast that's Good for You, Good for the Planet and Good for Farmers brought to you by the International Fund for Agricultural Development.

For more information:

• https://www.ifad.org/en/podcasts/episode45

We’re turning the spotlight on the Near East and North Africa to look at one of the major issues facing the region – water scarcity. With the UN’s climate summit later this year – COP28 – taking place in the United Arab Emirates – water scarcity and food security are top of the agenda. In the podcast we’ll be talking to IFAD’s regional lead Dina Saleh. After that we’ll be visiting projects dealing directly with the issues around water scarcity and food security in Egypt and also in Jordan. Also we’ll find out why some of the biggest names in Italian football are getting behind IFAD’s work.

Also how to produce affordable, high-quality protein feed and organic fertilizers with insects. Then Dr. Colin Zhu, medical professional, chef and nutritionist talks about the link of organic farming to better health. Plus we hear about non-GMO hybrid potato crops from Dutch company Solynta.

This is Farms.Food.Future – a podcast that's Good for You, Good for the Planet and Good for Farmers brought to you by the International Fund for Agricultural Development.

For more information:

• https://www.ifad.org/en/podcasts/episode44
• https://www.ifad.org/en/web/operations/regions/nen
• https://www.thechefdoc.app
• https://www.solynta.com

We’re getting in the biodiversity groove ahead of International Biodiversity Day on May 22nd. We speak exclusively to the acting Executive Secretary of the UN’s Convention on Biological Diversity, David Cooper. Then we’ll be hearing from IFAD’s lead on biodiversity Marie Aude Even. After that, in honour of the UK coronation we’re taking a little bit of a regal detour. We’ll be talking to David Cope, Head of Sustainability at the Duchy of Cornwall.

We have a special report for World Bee Day and the next part of our Global Donor Platform miniseries. Then we talk to the people behind Treedom, the app that allows you to plant a tree from a distance and follow the project on line. And Ento Insect Solutions in Kenya will be talking about insects for animal feed.

This is Farms.Food.Future – a podcast that's Good for You, Good for the Planet and Good for Farmers brought to you by the International Fund for Agricultural Development.

For more information:

• https://www.ifad.org/en/podcasts/episode43