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BULLETIN 1
FAO welcomes UN resolution instituting International Coffee Day
FAO welcomes UN resolution instituting International Coffee Day
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Figure: For many low-income countries, coffee exports constitute a crucial source of foreign exchange. ©FAO/Eduardo Soteras
FAO 10/03/2026
Rome/New York - The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) welcomes the adoption of a resolution by the UN General Assembly (UNGA) proclaiming October 1 as International Coffee Day.
Approved on Tuesday in New York, the resolution recognizes the "cultural, social and historical significance of coffee, from its origins to its significant role in the development of contemporary societies, in which it has become not only an important agricultural commodity and source of livelihood for communities, but also a symbol of social interaction, cultural expression and everyday tradition across generations."
The resolution also highlights the contribution of coffee production and processing to several Sustainable Development Goals: the fight against hunger (SDG 2), the reduction of extreme poverty (SDG 1), the empowerment of women (SDG 5), and the promotion of decent work and economic growth (SDG 8).
“Coffee is more than a beverage, it is a globally traded commodity - from beans to the coffee service - that sustains the livelihoods of millions of farming households, and connects rural communities to markets across the world," said FAO Director-General QU Dongyu. "Recognizing the value of the coffee sector will raise awareness about its socio-economic importance and strengthen its contribution to eradicating poverty. We look forward to celebrating the Day and its values.”
Tuesday's resolution was submitted to UNGA for consideration following its adoption by the FAO Conference during its 44th session in 2025.
Under the UN resolution, FAO is invited to facilitate the observance of International Coffee Day in collaboration with relevant organizations, in particular the International Coffee Organization.
The importance of coffee
Coffee is among the most widely consumed beverages in the world, with global per capita consumption growing by 1.2 percent per year over the past decade. The sector supports the livelihoods of around 25 million farmers and generates employment throughout the coffee value chain. Overall, the global coffee industry produces more than $200 billion in annual revenue.
Coffee also remains one of the world’s most traded commodities. In 2024, global production surpassed 11 million tonnes, with approximately 8 million tonnes of coffee beans traded internationally. That year, the value of global coffee production was estimated at nearly $25 billion, while world trade in coffee beans reached about $34 billion.
For many low-income countries, coffee exports constitute a crucial source of foreign exchange. In 2024, coffee accounted for 27.9 percent of total merchandise exports in Ethiopia, 20.1 percent in Uganda and 19.5 percent in Burundi. In both Ethiopia and Uganda, coffee export revenues exceeded the food import bills, while in Burundi they represented nearly 20 percent of the country’s food import bill.
In 2024, Brazil and Viet Nam were the leading coffee exporters, while the European Union and the United States of America were the largest importers.
FAO's contribution to coffee production
FAO supports coffee-producing countries and communities through a wide range of initiatives.
• Addressing the climate crisis: FAO’s work helps coffee farmers adapt to climate challenges through measures such as pest management and the conservation of traditional coffee systems in Panama through the FAO’s Farmer Field Schools programme; agroforestry and climate resilient coffee variety initiatives in East Africa; and strengthened cooperative models in Cuba.
• Supporting producers in evolving markets: The global coffee market increasingly requires traceability and compliance with new sustainability standards. FAO is working with producers and governments in countries including Honduras, Guatemala and Uganda to develop robust traceability systems, align national policies with international frameworks and mobilize investment for more than 200,000 smallholders.
• Mobilizing investment: Through its Investment Centre and initiatives such as the FAO Hand-in-Hand Initiative, FAO is helping countries unlock financing that strengthens farmer livelihoods and builds long term value. In Brazil, Costa Rica and Honduras, projects carried out with partners such as the World Bank are improving efficiency and farmer incomes. In El Salvador, FAO supported the formulation of a comprehensive national coffee plan.
With the establishment of International Coffee Day, FAO stands ready to work with Members and partners to ensure that the Day becomes a platform for collaboration, knowledge sharing and action across the entire coffee value chain. By shining a light on the challenges and opportunities facing millions of producers worldwide, the observance aims to strengthen global commitment to an efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable coffee sector that contributes meaningfully to food security and rural development.
See https://www.fao.org/newsroom/detail/fao-welcomes-un-resolution-instituting-international-coffee-day/en
Approved on Tuesday in New York, the resolution recognizes the "cultural, social and historical significance of coffee, from its origins to its significant role in the development of contemporary societies, in which it has become not only an important agricultural commodity and source of livelihood for communities, but also a symbol of social interaction, cultural expression and everyday tradition across generations."
The resolution also highlights the contribution of coffee production and processing to several Sustainable Development Goals: the fight against hunger (SDG 2), the reduction of extreme poverty (SDG 1), the empowerment of women (SDG 5), and the promotion of decent work and economic growth (SDG 8).
“Coffee is more than a beverage, it is a globally traded commodity - from beans to the coffee service - that sustains the livelihoods of millions of farming households, and connects rural communities to markets across the world," said FAO Director-General QU Dongyu. "Recognizing the value of the coffee sector will raise awareness about its socio-economic importance and strengthen its contribution to eradicating poverty. We look forward to celebrating the Day and its values.”
Tuesday's resolution was submitted to UNGA for consideration following its adoption by the FAO Conference during its 44th session in 2025.
Under the UN resolution, FAO is invited to facilitate the observance of International Coffee Day in collaboration with relevant organizations, in particular the International Coffee Organization.
The importance of coffee
Coffee is among the most widely consumed beverages in the world, with global per capita consumption growing by 1.2 percent per year over the past decade. The sector supports the livelihoods of around 25 million farmers and generates employment throughout the coffee value chain. Overall, the global coffee industry produces more than $200 billion in annual revenue.
Coffee also remains one of the world’s most traded commodities. In 2024, global production surpassed 11 million tonnes, with approximately 8 million tonnes of coffee beans traded internationally. That year, the value of global coffee production was estimated at nearly $25 billion, while world trade in coffee beans reached about $34 billion.
For many low-income countries, coffee exports constitute a crucial source of foreign exchange. In 2024, coffee accounted for 27.9 percent of total merchandise exports in Ethiopia, 20.1 percent in Uganda and 19.5 percent in Burundi. In both Ethiopia and Uganda, coffee export revenues exceeded the food import bills, while in Burundi they represented nearly 20 percent of the country’s food import bill.
In 2024, Brazil and Viet Nam were the leading coffee exporters, while the European Union and the United States of America were the largest importers.
FAO's contribution to coffee production
FAO supports coffee-producing countries and communities through a wide range of initiatives.
• Addressing the climate crisis: FAO’s work helps coffee farmers adapt to climate challenges through measures such as pest management and the conservation of traditional coffee systems in Panama through the FAO’s Farmer Field Schools programme; agroforestry and climate resilient coffee variety initiatives in East Africa; and strengthened cooperative models in Cuba.
• Supporting producers in evolving markets: The global coffee market increasingly requires traceability and compliance with new sustainability standards. FAO is working with producers and governments in countries including Honduras, Guatemala and Uganda to develop robust traceability systems, align national policies with international frameworks and mobilize investment for more than 200,000 smallholders.
• Mobilizing investment: Through its Investment Centre and initiatives such as the FAO Hand-in-Hand Initiative, FAO is helping countries unlock financing that strengthens farmer livelihoods and builds long term value. In Brazil, Costa Rica and Honduras, projects carried out with partners such as the World Bank are improving efficiency and farmer incomes. In El Salvador, FAO supported the formulation of a comprehensive national coffee plan.
With the establishment of International Coffee Day, FAO stands ready to work with Members and partners to ensure that the Day becomes a platform for collaboration, knowledge sharing and action across the entire coffee value chain. By shining a light on the challenges and opportunities facing millions of producers worldwide, the observance aims to strengthen global commitment to an efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable coffee sector that contributes meaningfully to food security and rural development.
See https://www.fao.org/newsroom/detail/fao-welcomes-un-resolution-instituting-international-coffee-day/en
BULLETIN 2
UWA Reports Global Hotspots of Plant Bacterial Pathogens
UWA Reports Global Hotspots of Plant Bacterial Pathogens
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March 11, 2026
A study led by experts from the University of Western Australia mapped pathogen hotspots worldwide, reported the mechanism by which soils block disease, and highlighted climate-driven risks.
“We identified 32 dominant pathogens by studying 1,602 soil metagenomes from 59 countries…Our study found global hotspots of plant pathogens occur in warm ecosystems and agricultural soils, whereas high microbial diversity, increased soil organic carbon, and colder climatic conditions are associated with lower pathogen prevalence,” said UWA Professor Brajesh Singh.
Driven by the severe impact of plant pathogens on global food security, a team of experts conducted a study to develop innovative detection tools for pathogens, beneficial microbes, and functional genes. Using predictive modeling, the researchers demonstrated that climate change is poised to escalate these risks, with several dominant bacterial pathogens expected to expand their geographic ranges under future climate scenarios.
According to Prof. Singh, identifying the global distribution of major pathogens and the environmental and management practices that enhance or suppress pathogen abundance is vital to reducing the impacts of plant disease on food production worldwide.
Find out more from UWA.
See https://www.isaaa.org/kc/cropbiotechupdate/article/default.asp?ID=21728
“We identified 32 dominant pathogens by studying 1,602 soil metagenomes from 59 countries…Our study found global hotspots of plant pathogens occur in warm ecosystems and agricultural soils, whereas high microbial diversity, increased soil organic carbon, and colder climatic conditions are associated with lower pathogen prevalence,” said UWA Professor Brajesh Singh.
Driven by the severe impact of plant pathogens on global food security, a team of experts conducted a study to develop innovative detection tools for pathogens, beneficial microbes, and functional genes. Using predictive modeling, the researchers demonstrated that climate change is poised to escalate these risks, with several dominant bacterial pathogens expected to expand their geographic ranges under future climate scenarios.
According to Prof. Singh, identifying the global distribution of major pathogens and the environmental and management practices that enhance or suppress pathogen abundance is vital to reducing the impacts of plant disease on food production worldwide.
Find out more from UWA.
See https://www.isaaa.org/kc/cropbiotechupdate/article/default.asp?ID=21728
SCIENTIFIC NEWS
CRISPR/Cas9-mediated mutagenesis of SMXL4 alters plant height and yield-related traits in rice (cv. Samkwang)
Yurim Kim, Yeeun Jun, Jiheon Han, Sieun Choi, Hwarim Kim, Minje Lee, Song Lim Kim, Sang-Ho Kang, Eun-Jung Suh, Sang Ryeol Park & Youngjun Mo
Scientific Reports – Nature; Published: 06 March 2026
Yurim Kim, Yeeun Jun, Jiheon Han, Sieun Choi, Hwarim Kim, Minje Lee, Song Lim Kim, Sang-Ho Kang, Eun-Jung Suh, Sang Ryeol Park & Youngjun Mo
Scientific Reports – Nature; Published: 06 March 2026
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Abstract
Recent climate change and frequent extreme weather events during the maturation period of rice exacerbate lodging and threaten stable production. Samkwang, a widely cultivated rice variety in Korea, is particularly vulnerable to lodging due to its tall stature. To improve lodging tolerance while preserving Samkwang’s elite genetic background, we identified an SMXL4-edited line (smxl4) with reduced culm length and stable growth from a CRISPR/Cas9-edited Samkwang population. The biological function of SMXL4, a clade Ⅳ member of the SMXL (SUPPRESSOR OF MAX2 1-LIKE) family, has not been well characterized in rice. Compared to Samkwang, the smxl4 plants showed reduced plant height, internode length, panicle length, grain number per panicle, and grain weight, while panicle number per plant increased. Transcriptome profiling of elongating internodes at booting and heading stages revealed upregulation of genes associated with cell wall remodeling and defense responses in smxl4 relative to Samkwang. These findings highlight the broad involvement of SMXL4 in rice growth and development and provide insights for breeding lodging tolerant rice cultivars.
See https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-026-38708-z
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Fig. 1. Verification of SMXL4 gene editing. (A) Schematic diagram of the gene structure and CRISPR-Cas9 meditated gene editing target sequence in SMXL4. (B) DNA sequence analysis of SMXL4 from Samkwang (WT) and smxl4. (C) Cas9-free screening of smxl4 plants (Unlabeled lanes are samples irrelevant to this study; the full-length agarose gel image is provided in Fig. S3).
