Improving Production, Nutrition, Environment, and Life in Panama

Panama is making great strides in improving its agriculture production and practices in collaboration with others. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations created the video linked below to share Panama's story. We encourage you to watch the video and utilize the discussions points below to strike up conversations with others around the globe. 

Panama Advances

Discussion Points

• Examine the video footage? What do you notice about everyday life and agriculture in Panama? What is similar and different from your home area?
• Throughout the video, four main points are shared in blue text: Better production, Better nutrition, Better environment, and Better life. How do these four areas tie together? What does this look like in Panama? Who does this look like in your home region?
• Of all the initiatives and projects highlighted in the video which ones do you feel could have the greatest impact and why?

Desert Locusts

The Desert Locust is wreaking havoc in different parts of the world. We invite you to learn more about the Desert Locust and its impact on agriculture through an interactive story from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). After engaging with the interactive story utilize the discussion points below to guide your conversations with others around the globe. 

A threat from the desert

Discussion Points

• What characteristics or traits make the Desert Locust so invasive to agriculture production?
• Of the characteristics shared which do you feel is the most troubling and why?
• Are you experiencing Desert Locusts in your home region? If so, what is the impact you are seeing? In not, are there other pests that are causing problems to agriculture production and if so, how?
• The FAO has tasked you with combating the increasing threat of the Desert Locust. How would you approach the challenge to mitigate or even eradicate the damage being done?

Fertilizer Prices Rise Globally

Fertilizer prices are up around the globe. The global rise in prices could set forth a chain of events impacting individuals around the globe. We invite you to review the linked Farm Policy News from the University of Illinois and reflect on the discussion points below with others. 

High Fertilizer Prices Impacting Developing Countries and Europe

Discussion Points

• What points shared were of most concern to you and why?
• What are the potential impacts of rising fertilizer costs around the globe? 
• Are farmers in your local area seeing an increase in fertilizer costs? If so, how are they reacting and what are the potential repercussions?
• You have been asked by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations to advise and make recommendations to ease the rising price of fertilizer prices globally. What would you suggest? What are things that need to be taken into consideration?

Vietnam Agriculture Trade

Agriculture trade is important for the success of so many. This week we take a look at the country of Vietnam and agriculture trade. We challenge you to utilize the discussion points below and explore with others how Vietnam agriculture trade may or may not relate to your life. 

Vietnam: A Feed Importing Powerhouse

Discussion Points

• What has been the trend with feed imports and meat production in Vietnam? How does this look in comparison to your home country?
• What global challenges and/or successes have had an impact on Vietnam agriculture trade? How have these same challenges and/or successes impacted your home country or region?
• What other world events could impact agriculture trade that were not mentioned in the report?
• This report discusses the different regions in which aquaculture, pigs, or birds are produced in Vietnam. What factors influence production by regions? Do you see the same type of regional patterns with agricultural production in your home country?