Farms. Food. Future.

Slow food, steady change

In this episode, we sit down with IFAD’s newest Recipes for Change chef, Ana Villota whose journey from Ecuador to Canada has shaped her zero-waste, slow-food approach to baking. We also hear from IFAD’s Goodwill Ambassador, Sabrina Elba, about why small-scale farmers are key to climate action, and Talking Foreign Affairs host, Adil Cader, about how global food stories connect us all. Find out more: Slow food, steady change – Episode 88

Life stories from Bangladesh and Colombia

Sometimes, building the future of farming means drawing on centuries-old traditions. Indigenous small-scale farmers can help rural communities around the world forge a new, sustainable path forward.In the second episode of our “Life stories” mini-series, we meet Pallab Chakma from Bangladesh’s Chittagong Hill Tracts and Dayana Domicó from Colombia’s Emberá community. They share powerful stories about land, identity, ancestral traditions and hope for the future.For more information:Life stories from Bangladesh and Colombia - Episode 87

What’s next for development finance?

What’s next for development finance? It’s increasingly clear the answer must go beyond traditional models. Just look at remittances: the money sent home by migrants now surpasses official aid to low- and middle-income countries. Our challenge is ensuring these flows drive lasting change. As global leaders prepare to meet at the fourth International Conference on Financing for Development in Seville, Spain, we explore the future of funding for rural communities – from remittances to private investment, blended finance and beyond. Find out more: What’s next for development finance? - Episode 86

Same sky, different soil

Rural communities around the world farm a diverse range of land under one sky. But no matter their varying challenges, they are united by the resilience and ingenuity of their solutions. This episode tells their stories. We talk to British chef and TV presenter Si King – one half of eloved culinary duo The Hairy Bikers – as he meets Mongolian herders balancing tradition with sustainability. Then, we head to South Africa’s arid Karoo, where farmer Jack Lewis is proving that innovation can flourish even in the harshest conditions. For more information:Same sky, different soil - Episode 85Recipes for Change Mongolia with Chef Si King - Watch the film and try out the Buzz and Lapsha recipes yourself!

From farm waste to green fashion

Fashion doesn't just start on the runway. It can have origins deep in a forest or even in the leftovers of yesterday’s meal. On this episode, we’re looking at how communities and creators are turning farm waste into cutting-edge fashion. In the Peruvian Amazon, Indigenous members of the Awajún community are creating Shiringa BioLeather, an eco-friendly alternative to animal leather. And in Italy, orange peels are being transformed into luxury textiles. Finally, we look at how fashion is linked to land degradation and what that means for the future of the industry. From ancestral knowledge to modern design, we embark on a journey through fashion that respects its roots and reimagines its future.Featuring Enrica Arena, Jorge Cajacuri, Emma Håkansson, Doris and Rosalia - Indigenous Awajún Women of the Peruvian Amazon, and Xenya Scanlon. For more information:From farm waste to green fashion - Episode 84