What if a disease caused by a fungus could be a good thing? It might seem unlikely, but it is, in fact, possible, if the target of the disease is a highly invasive forest tree species. An essential component of integrated pest management (IPM), biological control involves the use of natural enemies against pests and invasive species. In a broad sense, natural enemies are organisms that cause the death or impairment of other organisms, such as pests or invasive species. FAO promotes biological control for forest ecosystem preservation.

The farmer starts a fire, takes out the horse and attempts to fix the tractor. So far, this looks like an average morning routine in the far-flung mountainous areas of Kyrgyzstan. However, nothing is average here: The farmer, Zamira, is a woman with three university degrees who left city life behind to herd yaks in the village. Zamira is the main character of the short documentary The Rock, directed by Kyrgyz filmmaker Altynay Adamalieva. The film recently won the Osiris Award, decided by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), at the 2025 International Film Festival Agrofilm.

Türkiye produces most of the world’s pine honey, notably along the Marmara, Aegean and Mediterranean coasts. And now that pine honey – Türk Çam Balı – is nationally protected thanks to the geographic indication (GI) recently awarded by TURKPATENT, the Turkish Patent and Trademark office. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) worked closely with Türkiye’s main pine honey industry players – beekeepers, processors, exporters, government officials, economists and scientists – to develop and register the GI. 

Historically, land management in Uzbekistan largely has been directed by the state. In recent years, however, the government has taken important steps towards market-oriented agriculture by strengthening land tenure security, developing a market for land use rights and improving the system of land relations management. These steps include the development of a national strategy to improve land management and the ongoing revision of the Land Code. In response to an official request from Uzbekistan, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is implementing a project to support land reforms in the country. 

In Düzce, Türkiye, 32 percent of youth are unemployed. Many opt to move to the city in search of work. Beekeeping offers young people an alternative path and income opportunities in rural areas.

Across Europe and Central Asia, a new generation of farmers are using their innovation and vision to reshape agriculture. Armed with bold ideas, boundless energy and a deep commitment to sustainability, young people not only are breathing new life into rural areas, but they also are driving the transition towards resilient, inclusive and future-ready agrifood systems.

Today, the European Commission on Agriculture opens in Budapest, Hungary, as a key biennial discussion forum for the countries of Europe and Central Asia on topics related to food and agriculture. The Forty-fourth Session centres on the challenge of producing more with less, with key topics covering inclusive food and agriculture policies, digital solutions, and resilient investments, as well as the region’s response to multiple crisis.

More than 150 animal health experts, policymakers and international partners gathered in Belgrade from 22 to 25 September 2025 for the first Global Framework for the Progressive Control of Transboundary Animal Diseases (GF-TADs) Regional Conference of Standing Groups of Experts on priority transboundary animal diseases in the European region.
The event, supported by the European Union, marked the twentieth anniversary of GF-TADs Europe, a platform led by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) to guide coordinated action against animal health threats.

Every year, millions of tonnes of edible food are lost or wasted worldwide, while millions of people lack access to food. On this year’s International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste, celebrated on 29 September, the story of Nana Olkishvili – founder of Enkenia, the first officially recognized food bank in Georgia – shows how individual determination can drive meaningful change.

Representatives of governments, farmers’ organizations, civil society and academia from the two regions gathered on 22 and 23 September in Rome for the Interregional Dialogue on Family Farming for Europe and Central Asia to exchange good practices and discuss priority directions for supporting family farmers.