The World of organic Agriculture – Statistics and Emerging Trends 2026
In a world marked by mounting geopolitical tensions, supply chain disruptions and accelerating climate impacts, our food systems are under increasing strain. In this context, this edition of The World of Organic Agriculture shows that, despite economic headwinds and political uncertainty, the global organic sector continues to grow. Ongoing and new conflicts, heightened geopolitical rivalries, trade frictions, energy price volatility and extreme weather events are reshaping flows of food, feed and inputs and raising production risks. These dynamics particularly affect smallholder farmers. Organic and agroecological approaches—based on diversified production systems, healthier soils and lower dependence on synthetic inputs and imported fertilisers—can offer a way to increase resilience, reduce climate and environmental risks and sustain livelihoods in both advanced and emerging economies.
- Published in NEW PUBLICATIONS
Antimicrobial and other aquamedicine use for disease treatment in pond-based commercial tilapia farms in Bangladesh
This study addresses the limited information on use of antimicrobials and other chemical use in commercial tilapia farms in Bangladesh. A retrospective cross-sectional survey was conducted in November 2022 in the Mymensingh district, a major tilapia production hub.
The use of both antimicrobial and non-antimicrobial medicine varied significantly by location, being significantly less likely observed in Tarakanda (p < 0.05) and Fulbaria (p < 0.01), suggesting location-specific differences in disease management. The presence of clinical signs was significantly associated with increased use of both antimicrobials, non-antimicrobial medicine and use of overall aquamedicine (p < 0.001), while longer cultivation durations showed a weak association with reduced AMU. Imprudent use of antimicrobials and other chemicals may pose One Health risks, including disruption of pond microbial ecosystems, AMR development, chemical residues, and occupational hazards. In-depth qualitative studies are needed to further understand and optimize antimicrobial and other chemical use practices and determine how tilapia farmers may benefit from improved biosecurity, training, and veterinary access.
- Published in INDIA
Food Subsidies in India: Revisiting the Estimates
There is a view that the fiscal burden of food subsidies in India is unsustainable. Yet popular debate and discussion around the costs of these food subsidies, relative to their benefits, are misleading for two reasons. First, they typically treat reported budgetary subsidy estimates—i.e. the fiscal cost to the government of the distribution of food via ration shops—as equivalent to “transfers” to beneficiaries. Secondly, they tend to focus exclusively on consumers. In doing so, they neglect the two-part nature of the food distribution system, which includes payments to farmers at the time of procurement. This paper examines ways of measuring the costs and value of the food subsidy. We present estimates that combine the implicit value of benefits to consumers arising from the reduced price of grain sold to consumers via ration shops, with implicit benefits to farmers, in terms of the price difference between what farmers are paid by the government and what they would have obtained in the open market. This approach shows that each rupee of the “food subsidy” reported in government accounts represents a transfer worth Rs 1.29 to consumers and farmers, on average, over the period 2001–02 to 2022–23. That is, each rupee transferred to these groups is associated with a cost of Rs 0.79 to the government.
- Published in INDIA
Leadership Development for Fast-Tracking Participatory Groundwater Management (PGWM) in India
This technical brief explores the role of leadership development in accelerating Participatory Groundwater Management (PGWM) in India. It highlights training initiatives designed to build leadership capacities among community resource persons, government officials, and civil society actors involved in groundwater governance. Drawing on field experiences and training programs, the document discusses strategies for strengthening local leadership, improving community participation, and enhancing collective decision-making for sustainable groundwater use. The brief contributes to policy discussions on strengthening water governance and promoting community-driven approaches to groundwater management.
- Published in NEW PUBLICATIONS
Empowering Farmers: Natural Farming Training Toolkit & Best Practices Guide
Empowering Farmers: Natural Farming Training Toolkit & Best Practices Guide is a practical training manual designed for farmers, extension officers, and agricultural trainers to promote sustainable and chemical-free farming practices. The manual provides step-by-step guidance on natural farming principles, field practices, soil health management, crop protection, and farmer capacity building. Developed with inputs from agricultural institutions, Krishi Vigyan Kendras, and practitioners, the toolkit aims to strengthen farmers’ knowledge and enable wider adoption of environmentally sustainable and economically viable natural farming systems across India.
- Published in NEW PUBLICATIONS
Making Agricultural Drones Accessible to Philippine Rice Farmers
This study looked into the various aspects that could influence the uptake of agricultural drones in rice in the Philippines with the aim of identifying courses of action to assist in the massive deployment of drones in Philippine rice fields—a move expected to enhance profitability among rice farmers.
- Published in NEW PUBLICATIONS
Farmers’ Characteristics and Constraints in T-aman Rice Cultivation in Bangladesh
Transplanted Aman (T-aman) rice remains integral to household food access and livelihood resilience in northern Bangladesh, yet its production remains constrained by multiple agronomic and socio-economic challenges. This study examined the intensity of constraints encountered by producers involved in T-aman rice production and analysed their relationships with selected farmer attributes. Information was gathered from randomly selected farmers using a pretested structured interview schedule during October 2012. Farmers’ problem confrontation was assessed using a four-point scale across 15 identified constraints, and a PCI was done to classify problem severity. Pearson’s Coefficient was applied to observe linkages between problem confrontation and farmers’ socio-economic and communication characteristics. Results showed that 72.8% of farmers experienced a medium level of problems, while 27.2% faced a high level of problems in T-aman cultivation. High production cost ranked as the most severe constraint. The rest have negative or no significant association. The findings highlight the importance of strengthening farmer knowledge, extension services, and input quality regulation to reduce production constraints and enhance the sustainability of T-aman rice cultivation in vulnerable regions of Bangladesh.
- Published in BANGLADESH, NEW PUBLICATIONS
Guide to monitoring, evaluation and learning toolkits for grassroots agricultural extension and advisory service systems
The monitoring, evaluation and learning (MEL) system is critical to strengthen field-level agricultural extension and advisory services (EAS) systems and thereby support smallholder farmers’ access to agricultural innovations. However, most national EAS systems often lack efficient MEL tools and capacities to plan and conduct systemic MEL. This constrains smallholder farmers from accessing and uptaking agricultural innovation, technology and services. This knowledge product aims to provide a holistic self-MEL approach to strengthening the agricultural EAS system’s role in supporting the agricultural innovation system at the grassroots level. Therefore, it provides MEL indicator frameworks, tools for data collection and analyses, and guidelines on using the self-MEL toolkits for field-level EAS managers and agents. This guide will improve smallholder farmers’ access and uptake of EAS and contribute to the upscaling of EAS, thereby promoting inclusive innovation-driven agricultural development. Its effective application will strengthen science- and evidence-based decision-making through a systemic MEL of the field-level EAS system.
- Published in MONITORING & EVALUATION, NEW PUBLICATIONS
From Risk to Resilience: Helping People and Firms Adapt in South Asia
South Asia is the most climate-vulnerable region among emerging market and developing economies. With governments having limited room to act due to fiscal constraints, the burden of climate adaptation will fall primarily on households and firms. Awareness of climate risks is high; more than three-quarters of households and firms expect a weather shock in the next 10 years. Climate adaptation is widespread, with 63 percent of firms and 80 percent of households having taken action. However, most rely on basic, low-cost solutions rather than leveraging advanced technologies and public infrastructure. Market imperfections and income constraints limit access to information, finance, and technologies needed for more effective adaptation. If these obstacles were removed, private sector adaptation could offset about one-third of the potential damage from rising global temperatures on South Asian economies. The policy priority for governments is therefore to facilitate private sector adaptation through a comprehensive policy package. The package includes climate-specific measures such as improving weather information access, promoting resilient technologies and weather insurance, and investing in protective infrastructure in a targeted manner. Equally important are broader developmental initiatives with resilience co-benefits: in other words, policies that generate double dividends. These include strengthening core public goods like transportation, water systems, and healthcare; addressing barriers to accessing markets, inputs, and finance without causing unintended responses that increase vulnerabilities; and supporting vulnerable groups through shock-responsive social protection.
- Published in CLIMATE CHANGE, NEW PUBLICATIONS
Assessing Capacity Needs of Extension and Advisory Services in South Asia: SYNTHESIS REPORT
In the past few years, capacities in EAS to perform their traditional roles such as training and communication of technical information have eroded. Meanwhile, the extension landscape has become increasingly pluralistic with greater participation of the private sector. All these warrant new knowledge, skills, and expertise among EAS providers.
- Published in CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT