The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is delivering 2 452 veterinary kits to livestock-keeping households in Gaza to improve animal health and preserve herding livelihoods across the Strip. The near ten-month conflict has caused the collapse of local food production and agrifood value chains, contributing to the rapid deterioration of food security in Gaza, with 96 percent of the population or 2.15 million people facing high levels of acute food insecurity and a looming risk of famine.

“We are all targeting the same farmer,” noted Mr. Raphael Msyali, Chief Agriculture Officer for Mzimba District. Meanwhile, Mrs. Everlister Chidothi, a representative of Traditional Authority Mlumbe in Zomba District, emphasized the need to reach more farmers. These statements, though seemingly contrasting, highlight a common goal from field days in Mzimba and Zomba: the necessity of a unified, collaborative approach to farming systems.

Director-General QU Dongyu has signed, on behalf of FAO, a Letter of Intent with the Swiss Food & Nutrition Valley (SFNV) to promote innovation and safeguard global agrifood systems for the future.  The signing ceremony took place at an event held today at Agropole, a campus in the Swiss town of Molondin dedicated to shaping the future of food. Also in attendance at the event were Marie-France Tschudin, the President of SFNV's Steering Committee, and Christina Senn-Jakobsen, SFNV's Chief Executive Officer.

Scientists from King Abdullah University of Science and Technology and partners identified various factors and genes that are associated with the salt stress tolerance of wild tomatoes. Soil salinity is a major stressor that affects agricultural productivity around the world. It is important to understand how crops respond to salt stress to develop resilient varieties.

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) GMO Panel has released its Scientific Opinion on the safety of genetically modified (GM) insect-protected maize MON 95275, for import, processing, and food and feed uses within the European Union (EU) and does not include cultivation. Following the submission of application GMFF-2022-5890 EFSA-Q-2022-00330 under Regulation (EC) No. 1829/2003 from Bayer CropScience, the EFSA GMO Panel was asked to deliver a Scientific Opinion on the safety of GM insect-protected maize MON 95275.

A report published by Spherical Insights forecasts a 10.20% growth of the global transgenic seeds market from 2023 to 2033. The market is predicted to reach a revenue of $80.91 billion by 2033. Transgenic seeds are developed through the modification of DNA using genetic engineering (GE) procedures. Recently, there has been an increasing demand for transgenic seeds due to different factors, such as enhanced agricultural productivity, higher nutritional value, tolerance to adverse environmental conditions, and resistance to pests and diseases.

Researchers from Shandong Agricultural University in China used gene editing techniques to modify the fatty acid-derived volatile content and salt stress tolerance of apples. The results of the study, published in Horticulture Research, provide significant insights into improving the fruit aroma quality of crops under salt stress conditions.

A report published by InsightAce Analytic Pvt.Ltd forecasts a 5.40% growth of the textured vegetable protein (TVP) market from 2024 to 2031. The market is expected to reach a revenue of over $1,334.99 million by 2031.Textured vegetable proteins (TVP) are derived from plant-based sources, such as soy, wheat, and peas. Recently, they are becoming more popular as versatile meat alternatives in various food products. As the demand for TVP increases, the market is expected to grow over the next few years.

Researchers at the University of Cambridge have revealed in a new study that the plant hormone gibberellin (GA) is essential for the formation and maturation of nitrogen-fixing root nodules in legumes and can also increase nodule size. In the research results published in The Plant Cell, Dr. Alexander Jones' research group at the Sainsbury Laboratory Cambridge University (SLCU) and Professor Giles Oldroyd's group at the Crop Science Centre have made a major step by revealing the GA dynamics that govern the development, morphology and function of nitrogen-fixing root nodules.

Scientists at the University of Maryland used gene editing to develop poplar trees that can be used to produce high-performance, structural wood. The gene-edited trees can also be used for carbon storage to minimize carbon emissions. The production of engineered wood requires the usage of volatile chemicals and huge amounts of energy. These factors can negatively affect people's health and damage the environment. Thus, an alternative method is necessary to avoid these issues.