Farms. Food. Future.

International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)
  • 5.0 (5)
  • NEWS COMMENTARY
  • UPDATED MONTHLY
Farms. Food. Future.

Farms. Food. Future. looks at the big issues facing farmers in the developing world and what needs to be done to wipe out global hunger while dealing with the climate crisis. It’s brought to you by the UN’s International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and presented by Brian Thomson. Through the podcast, IFAD raises awareness of the challenges smallholder farmers in developing countries are facing around food security. Farms. Food. Future. includes interviews with IFAD experts, partners and donors, celebrities, and farmers. Farms. Food. Future. promotes the power of smallholder farmers as a force for change. It captures the exciting work IFAD is doing working on the front line of farming for development, dealing everyday with climate change, environmental sustainability, gender, youth, nutrition and indigenous peoples’ issues.

  1. What’s next for development finance?

    JUN 23

    What’s next for development finance?

    What’s next for development finance? It’s increasingly clear the answer must go beyond traditional models. Just look at remittances: the money sent home by migrants now surpasses official aid to low- and middle-income countries. Our challenge is ensuring these flows drive lasting change. As global leaders prepare to meet at the fourth International Conference on Financing for Development in Seville, Spain, we explore the future of funding for rural communities – from remittances to private investment, blended finance and beyond. Find out more: What’s next for development finance? - Episode 86

    26 min
  2. Same sky, different soil

    JUN 9

    Same sky, different soil

    Rural communities around the world farm a diverse range of land under one sky. But no matter their varying challenges, they are united by the resilience and ingenuity of their solutions.  This episode tells their stories. We talk to British chef and TV presenter Si King – one half of eloved culinary duo The Hairy Bikers – as he meets Mongolian herders balancing tradition with sustainability. Then, we head to South Africa’s arid Karoo, where farmer Jack Lewis is proving that innovation can flourish even in the harshest conditions.  For more information: Same sky, different soil - Episode 85 Recipes for Change Mongolia with Chef Si King - Watch the film and try out the Buzz and Lapsha recipes yourself!

    28 min
  3. From farm waste to green fashion

    MAY 26

    From farm waste to green fashion

    Fashion doesn't just start on the runway. It can have origins deep in a forest or even in the leftovers of yesterday’s meal. On this episode, we’re looking at how communities and creators are turning farm waste into cutting-edge fashion. In the Peruvian Amazon, Indigenous members of the Awajún community are creating Shiringa BioLeather, an eco-friendly alternative to animal leather. And in Italy, orange peels are being transformed into luxury textiles. Finally, we look at how fashion is linked to land degradation and what that means for the future of the industry. From ancestral knowledge to modern design, we embark on a journey through fashion that respects its roots and reimagines its future. Featuring Enrica Arena, Jorge Cajacuri, Emma Håkansson, Doris and Rosalia - Indigenous Awajún Women of the Peruvian Amazon, and Xenya Scanlon.  For more information: From farm waste to green fashion - Episode 84

    36 min
  4. Returning to the land

    MAY 12

    Returning to the land

    Migration stories usually go in one direction: away from rural life, towards cities. But around the world, rural people are proving that progress sometimes comes from circling back with purpose. On this episode, we explore the quiet transformation that comes with what is known as reverse migration: where farmers, rural entrepreneurs and young professionals return home with new skills and vision. From reviving local economies to recharging food systems, they're showing the world that rural life isn’t about just surviving, but thriving. Featuring Ward Anseeuw, Joel and Erina Guma, Annet Nampoza, and Sheik Tambedou. For more information: Returning to the land - Episode 83

    35 min
  5. Food that packs a punch in Asia and the Pacific

    APR 28

    Food that packs a punch in Asia and the Pacific

    Sometimes, to transform an entire food system we have to start small. Across Asia and the Pacific, slight changes in food and farming habits are bringing vital nutritional improvements to entire communities.  On this episode, we head to Cambodia to learn more. Experts from across the region recently gathered here at an IFAD workshop on nutrition-sensitive agriculture, discussing common challenges and sharing best practices. From Papua New Guinea to Pakistan, hear their diverse perspectives as they figure out how to make the region’s food systems work for everyone. Featuring Maryam Barodawala, Fathimath Fazuna, Elizabeth Ngolo, Boreth Sun, Kapila Rasnayaka, and Dr. Muhammad Ahsan Riaz. For more information: Food that packs a punch in Asia and the Pacific - Episode 82

    23 min
  6. From salt to sustainability

    APR 14

    From salt to sustainability

    Believe it or not, deserts might just be the next frontier in sustainable farming. Agriculture is under threat from extreme heat, vanishing water and salty soil – but innovators are turning these challenges into opportunities. This episode uncovers the breakthroughs keeping fertile land from turning to dust. From salt-defying crops to desert farms that thrive against the odds, meet the farmers and scientists rewriting the rules of resilience. Featuring Zied Hammami, Xenya Scanlon, Viviane Filippi and Hiba Nasrollah.  For more information: From salt to sustainability - Episode 81

    28 min
  7. Weathering the future

    MAR 24

    Weathering the future

    From a surprise shower to an unexpectedly cold evening, we all know the weather forecast doesn’t always pan out – and for small-scale farmers who depend on it for their crops, it’s more than just an inconvenience. But what if we could be sure of weather before it strikes? What if we could even influence it? In this episode, we dive into the science and innovation shaping our interaction with the weather. From predicting storms to cloud seeding, hear from the experts working to adapt to and mitigate the impacts of the changing climate. Featuring Clare Nasir, Steven Siems and Dan Martin.

    30 min
  8. Life Stories from Suriname and Ethiopia

    MAR 10

    Life Stories from Suriname and Ethiopia

    Where can we learn about the future of farming? We are going right to the source – the rural people who are transforming agriculture. Our new, in-depth “Life stories” mini-series brings their stories to the fore.   In this first episode, we travel from the forests of Suriname to the highlands of Ethiopia to meet two inspiring innovators driving change in their communities. Plus, we share voice messages collected from Indigenous leaders at this year’s Indigenous Peoples Forum.

    33 min
See All (88)

Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
5 Ratings

About

Farms. Food. Future. looks at the big issues facing farmers in the developing world and what needs to be done to wipe out global hunger while dealing with the climate crisis. It’s brought to you by the UN’s International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and presented by Brian Thomson. Through the podcast, IFAD raises awareness of the challenges smallholder farmers in developing countries are facing around food security. Farms. Food. Future. includes interviews with IFAD experts, partners and donors, celebrities, and farmers. Farms. Food. Future. promotes the power of smallholder farmers as a force for change. It captures the exciting work IFAD is doing working on the front line of farming for development, dealing everyday with climate change, environmental sustainability, gender, youth, nutrition and indigenous peoples’ issues.

Information

  • Creator
    International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2025
  • Episodes
    88
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2024 IFAD
  • Show Website
    Farms. Food. Future.

You Might Also Like

To listen to explicit episodes, sign in.

Stay up to date with this show

Sign in or sign up to follow shows, save episodes, and get the latest updates.
Select a country or region

Africa, Middle East, and India

Asia Pacific

Europe

Latin America and the Caribbean

The United States and Canada