FAO celebrated World Bee Day (20 May) and International Tea Day (21 May) with a joint exhibition and tasting event at its headquarters in Rome, underscoring the essential roles of pollinators and tea in global agrifood systems, livelihoods and cultures.  

Agriculture extension agents in Lebanon are better equipped to support chickpea farmers following a two-day Training of Trainers held from 29 -30 April 2025 at the Lebanese Agricultural Research Institute (LARI) in Tal Amara. 

Organized by FAO, the training brought together more than 26 agricultural engineers and extension officers from Lebanon’s Ministry of Agriculture.

Senior officials from the Ministries of Agriculture and Commerce, along with agricultural trade experts from six South Asian countries, convened virtually for a regional consultation aimed at boosting exports of special agricultural products under the FAO OCOP initiative. 

The pilot aims to support environmentally sustainable production, strengthen digital traceability, and enhance market access for large cardamom in Nepal — bringing scientific expertise, government leadership, and grassroots energy together. Large cardamom is a globally recognized spice which holds immense potential for climate-smart livelihoods, value-added exports, and premium international markets. 

Belize’s coconut sector is poised for transformation as the National Task Force for the Coconut Sector convened its first quarterly meeting of 2025 in Belmopan. Held under the framework of the FAO OCOP initiative, the meeting brought together national and regional partners to assess progress and refine strategic priorities to strengthen the country’s coconut industry.

To commemorate its 80th anniversary, FAO plans to recognize some of these outstanding best practices and innovative approaches in sustainable plant production and protection.

FAO invites nominations on outstanding best practices and innovative approaches in sustainable plant production and protection in the last 40 years. Research and academic institutions, extension and advisory service providers, development agencies, civil society organizations, private sector entities, and other key organizations working at the national, regional, and international levels from around the world are eligible to submit their nominations. 

More than 60 government officials, entrepreneurs, and stakeholders of agrifood systems from 19 Asia and the Pacific countries have completed a dynamic four-day training to maximize the nutritional value of special agricultural products under the OCOP Initiative. This workshop combined online and on-site sessions to equip participants with expertise in food processing, safety, and quality enhancement.

Zambia has taken a major step forward in the implementation of the OCOP initiative with the successful convening of its first Technical Working Group meeting on 18 March 2025. The meeting marked the official launch of the country’s technical coordination mechanism for OCOP and brought together representatives from key national stakeholders to lay the groundwork for the initiative. 

FAO organized a regional workshop in Cairo, Egypt, from 17-19 February 2025, to enhance the capacity of Near East and North Africa (NENA) countries in promoting sustainable agrifood systems by scaling up the FAO OCOP initiative. The event brought together representatives from ten OCOP countries to share best practices, assess progress, and explore ways to strengthen agrifood systems.

In Lebanon, chickpeas are more than just an ingredient used in cooking; they are cherished traditions woven into the fabric of the country’s culinary and cultural heritage. FAO Lebanon, in partnership with Lebanon’s Ministry of Agriculture, is working to strengthen the country’s chickpea sector, supported by FAO OCOP initiative. 

FAO One Country One Priority Product initiative maximises potential of Bangladesh’s national fruit, the jackfruit.

The One Country One Priority Product (OCOP) Initiative Team has been awarded the One FAO Team Award 2024 for its outstanding efforts in promoting sustainable agricultural practices and empowering communities worldwide.

Over 70 participants from nearly 20 countries convened to review progress and strategise for the 2025 expansion of the One Country One Priority Product (OCOP) initiative, highlighting its impact since its global launch in 2021.

As part of FAO OCOP Initiative, the Chestnut Route was established to promote sustainable development in the Albanian Alps by capitalizing on one of the area’s most distinctive natural products, chestnuts.

The hiking opportunity already awaits mountain lovers and those celebrating International Mountain Day (11 December) under the annual theme “Mountain solutions for a sustainable future: innovation, adaptation, and youth.”

FAO Deputy Director-General Ms Beth Bechdol and Special Advisor to the FAO Director-General Mr Xia Jingyuan visited China to witness the progress of the FAO initiative, which aims to enhance sustainable development of the tea value chain.

The FAO Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia (REU) is launching a Call for Innovations, Solutions, and Best Practices to enrich the Green Practices Repository on the Regional Technical Platform on Green Agriculture.

Sweet cherry was selected as Uzbekistan's priority product emphasizing its role in strengthening food security, supporting small farmers, and promoting sustainable agricultural practices. On 25 October 2024, Uzbekistan organized the first meeting of the Technical Working Group to support the National Task Force for the implementation of the OCOP initiative.

A workshop in Nanjing, China kickstarted the development of a comprehensive roadmap to promote special agricultural products in Pacific Island countries under the FAO One Country One Priority Product initiative.

A high-level delegation from the Government of Nepal, headed by the Honourable RamNath Adhikari, Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Development, met with the secretariat of the OCOP Initiative in Plant Production and Protection Division on 18 October 2024 at FAO headquarters in Rome to strategize on strengthening the value chain of large cardamom in Nepal.

The exhibition showcases the technical work and knowledge products of FAO. Visitors can immerse themselves in a 360-degree video experience that explores the complex relationships between climate change; crops; innovation and technologies; land, water and biodiversity; livestock; and people.