The food which is part of our daily life is thanks to the hardworking, innovative people and their inspiring journeys to provide for people around the world.
Farmers are an inspiration to others. Even through a pandemic, economic or personal struggles, they are able to provide affordable produce to their communities and beyond. Rather than despair, they work hard and find resources that can help them thrive and fulfil their goals.
Farming achievements
Edik Harutyunyan’s success story didn’t come without difficulties. He had only a small plot of land in Armenia and a big goal. Natural hazards often spoiled his harvest. It took time and perseverance, as well as help to “improve the farming conditions,” he says.
FAO equipped his vineyard with anti-hail nets and a drip irrigation system. Last year, Edik exported almost 60 tonnes of fruit. As his farm grew, so did his workforce; and he became an example to other farmers in the region.
“We do it because we believe that selfless efforts guarantee the future we want,” Edik says.
A dream fulfilled
Ninfa Aguilar Medina wanted to have a vegetable garden like her grandmother’s. “I always brought plants to school,” Ninfa recalls. “Then, as I got older, I was able to have my own garden.”
She has a great variety of aromatic herbs and nutritious vegetables. FAO works with women farmers in Peru, and Ninfa learned the best way to grow tomatoes at high altitudes and make her own organic fertiliser.
“We must not kill Mother Earth with harmful products. We must protect the biodiversity of our gardens because only then will we feel rich,” says Ninfa.
We must protect the biodiversity of our gardens because only then will we feel rich.
Ninfa Aguilar Medina
Innovative women
Nadia Selmi started as a researcher in a lab and began pioneering new uses for an often-overlooked marine resource. Using just 0.03% of our oceans’ surface, seaweed could add up to 10% to the world’s food supply.
Today, Nadia is the commercial director of SELT Marine, a Tunisian seaweed company that employs more than 100 women in producing nutritious seaweed powder for various products.
“I believe in the power of women,” says Nadia. “The seaweed farm is run by women. They represent 80–90% of all staff in our administration, the labs and research.”
FAO supports innovators like Nadia through its General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean, promoting seaweed aquaculture to boost sustainable growth, marine conservation and livelihoods in the Mediterranean and the Black Sea.
The views expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the FAO.
