THE Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) announced the launch of its initiative titled Global Action on Green Development of Special Agricultural Products: One Country One Priority Product (OCOP). The initiative targets the development of green and sustainable value chains for special agricultural products, support small and family farmers who will benefit immensely from the global market, which will facilitate the transformation of agri-food systems and attain the Sustainable Development Goals.
“The transformation of agri-food systems starts by identifying one product or a specific crop,” highlighted the FAO Director-General, QU Dongyu. “This one product then becomes an entry-point for new, concrete actions to achieve tangible results for better production, better nutrition, a better environment and a better life for all, leaving no one behind.”
FAO describes Special Agricultural Products (SAPs) as those with unique qualities and special characteristics associated with geographical locations and cultural heritages, which can significantly contribute to safeguarding food security and healthy diets, supporting farmers’ livelihoods and economic growth while protecting the environment and biodiversity.
