In Madagascar, over 80 per cent of the population lives on agriculture. But in some areas of the country, farmers face struggles getting sufficient water for crops while difficult road conditions make it hard to transport goods and access services.

Combined, both problems hamper socio-economic development.

The Inclusive Agricultural Value Chains Development Programme – which UNOPS is implementing in collaboration with the government of Madagascar in two rural regions, with financing from the International Fund for Agricultural Development – is buidling new roads and solar-powered pumping stations to jumpstart agricultural development.

In a remote town in Lesotho’s Maseru District, farmer Mabitsoane Diholo has transformed her life through potato farming. Once merely for family consumption, potatoes have become her livelihood, contributing to her home and children's education. In 2022, Lesotho joined the One Country One Priority Product (OCOP) initiative by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), supporting 750 farmers like Mabitsoane. With improved seeds and access to markets like Maluti Fresh Produce Market, farmers are shifting from subsistence to commercial farming, enhancing their incomes and becoming entrepreneurs, thanks to better practices and coordinated efforts.

Yemen is one of the poorest countries in the world, with more than 19 million people in need of humanitarian assistance and an estimated 74% living below the poverty line. The ongoing conflicts and intense droughts have severely impacted Yemen’s social and economic infrastructure, especially in rural areas. To respond to these challenges, IFAD together with its partners and the Government of Yemen, launched the Rural Livelihoods Development Project.

In Jabal Saraj, Afghanistan, Hasina and 19 other women have found a livelihood by producing jams and pickles. With support from the FAO's Household Food and Livelihood Security project, funded by Luxembourg, they gather to peel, dice, and package fresh produce. Previously housewives facing financial struggles, they now earn an income, allowing them to provide essentials for their families, such as food, clothes, and school fees. The project equipped them with training and resources for processing and marketing their products, empowering these women to improve their lives and stand on their own feet.

For generations, communities in Senegal’s Casamance region have harvested wild madd fruit, prized for its richness in vitamins and antioxidants. Traditionally collected by youth and often found in the "Sacred Woods," madd is deeply tied to local customs. Despite its cultural significance, producers have faced challenges ranging from limited control over pricing to unsustainable harvesting, over-exploitation, and forest fires. However, on June 25, 2024, madd became the first Senegalese product registered as a Geographical Indication (GI), ensuring protection of its name and quality. This initiative promotes sustainable practices and strengthens local economies by keeping production and income within the community.

Paulo Benedito, a lifelong fisherman from Quissanga, a small coastal town in northern Mozambique’s Cabo Delgado province, faced devastating changes in 2021 when armed Islamist insurgents attacked his community, forcing him and his family to flee. They sought refuge at the Meculane Centre for Internally Displaced Persons, where Paulo had to transition from fishing to farming. Despite the challenges, he embraced agricultural training offered by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). He soon excelled in his new role, expressing a newfound preference for farming over fishing, as it provided more stability and ensured food for his family.

In Chad, more than 3.3 million Chadians (19% of the population) are facing high levels of acute food insecurity. The continued influx of people fleeing conflict in Sudan, persistent insecurity, and increased risks of flooding and drought place the country on the list of hotspots for malnutrition and hunger.

In Zemo Alvani, Georgia, Natia Matcharashvili, a first-generation farmer, handpicks wheat grains from her fields. She and her husband, Shota, returned from Tbilisi to live closer to nature for their children and to revive native wheat varieties that are vanishing. They feel a responsibility to preserve these traditional strains that have adapted to their local soil and climate. By cultivating these heirloom varieties for their bakery, they aim to share their heritage with customers. What began as a simple passion has turned into a commitment to rediscover and rejuvenate forgotten Georgian wheat varieties.

The FAO and Mozambique's fisheries ministry piloted eight anchored fish‑aggregating devices (aFADs) in Cabo Delgado to help small-scale fishers access offshore tuna. Made from sustainable materials like coconut fronds, these buoyed devices attract microorganisms, small fish, and larger species, offering predictable fishing spots. Training and gear provision helped fishers like Mário Sadique boost catches from 1–5 kg to ~20 kg per trip, increasing earnings and reducing time at sea.

High in the Peruvian Andes, the resilient community of Culta — perched over 3,800 metres above sea level near Lake Titicaca — is turning climate crisis into a story of hope and heritage. As rain and frost wiped out crops and droughts dried up springs, local women leaders, like Pascuala Pari and Fanny Ninaraqui, rolled up their sleeves and got to work. Their secret weapon? Seeds! Through colorful seed banks and clever exchanges — think bartering quinoa like Pokémon cards — they’re reviving ancient crops such as the cañihua [an heirloom crop related to quinoa], oca [a traditional root vegetable], and multi-colored quinoa. Backed by UNDP, GEF’s Small Grants Programme, and Peru’s Ministry of Environment, these women-led groups are not just planting food; they’re sowing resilience, reclaiming lost biodiversity, and leading the charge for sustainable farming with sprinklers, savvy, and spirit. With each harvest, they’re proving that agrobiodiversity isn’t just about crops; it’s about culture, climate action, and a whole lot of courage.

Horses have quietly shaped human history for thousands of years — ploughing fields, carrying armies, connecting cultures, and healing hearts. Today, over 112 million working equids help sustain the livelihoods of 600 million people across the globe. In recognition of this enduring partnership, the UN has declared 11 July “World Horse Day”, calling for global awareness of the vital roles horses play — and the rising challenges they face. It’s a time to celebrate, protect, and stand by these remarkable companions.

Small-scale farmers live on the frontlines of climate change – and because they grow so much of the world’s food, their ability to adapt is in everybody’s interest. Munashe and Tamari live in Zimbabwe’s southeastern drylands, where rain has grown scarcer in recent years and crop failure has become commonplace. But with support from the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) they have been able to double their crop yields. With the resulting income boost, they have renovated their home and paid for their children’s education. Rural development is IFAD’s bread and butter. As the only UN agency exclusively dedicated to transforming agriculture, rural economies and food systems, it makes sure that small-scale farmers can improve their lives. To mark the first-ever World Rural Development Day, take a look at five essential parts of the Fund's work.

Between 2021 and 2023, Kenya faced its worst drought in 40 years. In Turkana County alone, more than 200,000 pastoralists abandoned their way of life. Lake Turkana, the world’s largest permanent desert lake and a UNESCO World Heritage site, offers hope. It produced 17,300 metric tonnes of fish in recent years, and could produce considerably more. The World Food Programme (WFP) and UNESCO, in collaboration with the Marsabit and Turkana County Governments, are launching a new programme to sustainably unlock the lake's economic potential for those living along its shores. 

As key agents of change, the current generation of young people must increase food production, replace an aging workforce, and adapt to increasing extreme climate events. With 1.3 billion individuals aged 15 to 24 globally, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has released a comprehensive report titled “The Status of Youth in Agrifood Systems,” which examines and emphasizes the crucial role of youth in transforming agrifood systems to improve food security, nutrition, and economic opportunities.

In Sasmuan, Philippines, women sustain their families and ecosystems by fishing, weaving nets, and processing crabs. Facing pollution and declining fish stocks, they diversify incomes through crab paste and pickled sea purslane. Along the Mabuanbuan alley, women of all ages gather each morning to untangle crabs from the nets. On average, families harvest around 10 kilos of crabs per day. The UNDP-backed Integrated River Basin Management Project, executed by Partnerships in Environmental Management for the Seas of Asia (PEMSEA) Resource Facility aids in watershed conservation and women's empowerment.