Ponds, rivers and seas can provide food that is rich in protein and important micronutrients. In 2025, FAO and the European Union launched a project to improve aquatic food chains in five countries. It will work in parts of Africa and Latin America until 2030. Researchers will first identify gaps before choosing solutions suited to each country’s conditions.
The programme will study how fish and other aquatic foods move from producers to families. Partners will develop or improve value chains and explore new products and technologies. The goal is not simply to produce more food. It is to make nutritious choices more affordable for people facing hunger or poor diets. Successful changes should also protect ecosystems and strengthen livelihoods throughout the food chain. This approach connects nutrition with local income instead of treating them as separate problems.