food security

Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine has reached the five-year mark, with the conflict continuing to reshape global politics, economics and security. Coverage marks the anniversary by highlighting the war's far-reaching consequences, from energy and food markets to NATO dynamics and ongoing questions about Western support for Kyiv and prospects for peace.

Ukraine is confronting two pressing problems at once: securing international funding to keep its state running amid the war, and getting its grain exports to world markets. Officials and allies are weighing how to fill budget shortfalls while working to maintain export routes for agricultural goods that many countries depend on.

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said on Sunday that his decision to meet Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov was driven by security concerns and the need to address a growing food-export crisis. The meeting marks a notable diplomatic contact between Berlin and Moscow at a time when European governments remain divided over engagement with Russia.

Al Jazeera reports that the world may be heading toward a global meat crisis, driven by pressure on cattle production and the challenge of feeding growing herds. The piece examines how rising demand for meat, constrained feed supplies and environmental pressures could disrupt global protein supply chains, raising concerns about food security and prices worldwide.

A UK climate minister has warned that the global food system is vulnerable to El Niño, the periodic warming of Pacific Ocean waters that disrupts weather patterns and can hit crop harvests. The warning highlights concerns that extreme weather linked to El Niño could drive up food prices and threaten supply security at a time of already strained agricultural conditions.

Commentators argue that as El Niño strengthens and disrupts weather patterns, more money should go toward supporting the world's farmers, who face crop failures and income losses from droughts and floods. The argument is that smallholder agriculture is underfunded despite being on the front line of climate shocks, and that investment in resilience is urgently needed.

Türkiye is strengthening what it calls 'agro diplomacy', using agricultural exports, cooperation programmes and trade ties to reduce its vulnerability to geopolitical tensions. The Daily Sabah reports the strategy aims to secure food supply chains and open new markets, positioning agriculture as a foreign policy tool amid ongoing regional instability and global trade disruptions.

A South China Morning Post exclusive reports that the New Development Bank, the Brics bank headquartered in China and often called the Brics bank, is set to take on a leading role in a global alliance against hunger this year, according to Brazil. The report suggests Brazil has indicated the bank will head the hunger alliance effort within the Brics grouping. Beyond the single headline, there is little detail in the available posts about how the arrangement would work or what the bank's exact responsibilities would be, and broader public reaction is not visible.

A study led by the conservation group Oceana concludes that more equitable fishing access agreements could help tackle malnutrition in West Africa. The findings suggest that how foreign fishing rights are negotiated shapes how much fish remains available to local communities, whose diets depend heavily on seafood. The report is drawing attention among food security and fisheries policy observers.

A new analysis argues that diversifying staple crops toward millets would strengthen food security, improve nutrition, and support sustainability across the Global South. Millets are hardy, climate-resilient grains that require less water than rice or wheat, making them attractive amid climate pressures and import dependence. The piece calls for policy support, research investment, and consumer awareness to bring millets back into mainstream diets across developing countries.

The Central Bank of Nigeria says weak agricultural infrastructure across the country stems largely from farmers' difficulties in accessing finance. The bank argues that without better credit availability, investment in irrigation, storage and rural roads will lag, holding back the agricultural sector.

An Arab League committee has held discussions on food security, climate change and sustainable pasture management, according to regional news coverage. The session reflects growing concern among Arab states over how climate pressures affect agriculture, grazing land and long-term food supplies. Details of specific decisions or recommendations from the meeting have not yet been reported.

Türkiye is intensifying its agricultural diplomacy efforts both regionally and globally, according to Hürriyet Daily News. The report signals Ankara's push to strengthen cooperation on farming, food security and agricultural trade with international partners, positioning agriculture as a growing element of Turkish foreign policy.

The UK Defence Minister has urged the British public to stockpile food and water in case of an attack, according to the headline making the rounds. The advice points to growing official emphasis on civilian preparedness and home emergency supplies as part of national resilience planning. Reactions online range from concern about what threat the government is anticipating to debate over whether such guidance is sensible or alarmist.

Researchers at the New York Botanical Garden have published a series of papers in the journal Plants, People, Planet arguing that growing threats to plant diversity are narrowing the options for building healthier, more resilient food systems. The papers explain why food plant diversity matters and set out a vision for collaboration between scientists, growers and communities to protect it. The warning highlights how the loss of crop varieties and wild relatives could undermine global food security.

FEFAC, the European feed manufacturers' federation, is calling on the European Union to draw up a contingency plan to secure feed supplies for livestock farming. The request reflects concern in the agri-food sector over the EU's vulnerability to disruptions in imports of feed materials such as soy and other protein sources, with the industry seeking guarantees that animals can be fed even if supply chains are interrupted.

Pakistan and China have jointly launched a livestock disease laboratory in Luoyang, China, marking a new step in bilateral scientific cooperation on animal health. The facility is expected to support joint research, disease surveillance and vaccine development for livestock, areas of shared economic importance to both countries given the scale of their agricultural sectors.

Oman is examining air-to-water technology as a way to support sustainable agriculture, extracting water from atmospheric moisture to irrigate crops in a country where fresh water is scarce. The initiative highlights the Gulf state's wider push to use innovative technology to strengthen food and water security in arid conditions.

An NPR report examines how cities like Washington, DC and New York are tackling rat infestations by changing human behavior rather than only targeting the rodents. The approach focuses on better waste management and food disposal habits, arguing that rats thrive when people leave trash accessible. Officials in both cities have run public campaigns urging residents to secure garbage and deny rats food sources.

Reports indicate European officials are calculating medical resources and instructing populations to maintain three-day food reserves as part of emergency preparedness planning. The measures point to renewed civil defense thinking across Europe, with authorities encouraging households to stockpile basic supplies in case of crisis.

New chip-enabled EBT cards are being issued in Lynchburg, Virginia, following a surge in SNAP benefit theft. Thieves have been skimming card data to drain recipients' food assistance funds, and the embedded chips are intended to make cards far harder to clone. Local officials hope the upgrade will protect vulnerable households from losing benefits.

The Food and Agriculture Organization has drawn attention to references concerning the Policy Basket of the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty. The Policy Basket is a collection of proven public policies that member countries of the Alliance can adopt to reduce hunger and poverty. The reference underscores ongoing international coordination around food security and social protection ahead of further Alliance activities.

A woman named Shireen El Khalili is appealing urgently for $100 via a Chuffed.org crowdfunding page supporting her in Gaza, telling friends she could not carry on without their help. Her message, shared with hashtags about Gaza and Palestine, reflects the growing reliance on small online donations as residents of the Gaza Strip struggle to secure food, shelter and basic necessities during the war.

A roundup of 31 new funding opportunities for October 2026 has been released, covering agriculture, climate, environment, energy and food. The list is aimed at researchers, nonprofits and organisations seeking grants in these sectors, gathering deadlines and eligibility details in one place as competition for sustainability and food-security funding continues to grow.