FAO Free Online Course 2026: Aquatic Food By-Products Valorization With Digital Certificate
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is offering an online learning opportunity through its FAO eLearning Academy. The Aquatic Food By-Products Valorization course introduces learners to sustainable bioeconomy practices, aquatic food value chains and methods for transforming fish-processing waste into valuable resources.
The course is designed for people interested in sustainable food systems, fisheries, aquaculture, environmental management and reducing food loss and waste. Learners can study online and earn a digital badge by successfully completing the final examination.
The course is available through the FAO eLearning Academy, which provides learning resources on food security, agriculture, nutrition, fisheries and sustainable development.
Overview of the FAO Online Course
- Course title: Aquatic Food By-Products Valorization
- Organisation: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
- Platform: FAO eLearning Academy
- Learning format: Online
- Course category: Sustainable development, bioeconomy and aquatic food systems
- Certification: Digital badge available upon successful completion
- Assessment requirement: Minimum score of 75% in the final examination
- Course fee: Check the official course page for current fee information.
- Application deadline: No deadline was specified in the supplied course information.
About the Aquatic Food By-Products Valorization Course
The course explores how biological resources can be used more sustainably to support economic development while reducing environmental impacts.
Aquatic food processing generates by-products that may otherwise be discarded or underutilised. When properly managed, these materials can be converted into useful products, helping improve resource efficiency and reduce waste across fish and seafood value chains.
The course introduces learners to the principles of bioeconomy and practical approaches to making better use of aquatic biological resources.
What You Will Learn
The course covers several important topics.
1. Introduction to the bioeconomy
Learners are introduced to the bioeconomy concept, which focuses on using biological resources to produce goods and support sustainable development.
2. The 4R approach
The course explores the 4R approach: reduce, reuse, recycle and recover. These principles help identify opportunities to minimise waste and improve resource utilisation.
3. Biomass and bio-based products
Participants learn about the importance of biomass and the potential to transform biological materials into useful products.
4. Aquatic food value chains
The course examines aquatic food value chains, with particular attention to the opportunities and challenges associated with fish-processing by-products.
5. Reducing food loss and waste
Learners explore strategies for reducing food loss and waste while improving the use of available resources.
6. Fish silage production
The course introduces fish silage production as a cost-effective method of preserving fish by-products for potential further use.
Who Should Take This Course?
This course may be useful for:
- Fisheries and aquaculture professionals.
- Students studying agriculture, fisheries, food science or environmental management.
- Professionals working in food processing and waste management.
- Researchers interested in sustainable food systems and the bioeconomy.
- Development practitioners working on food security and environmental sustainability.
- Entrepreneurs exploring opportunities in aquatic food processing and by-product utilisation.
- Anyone interested in reducing food loss and improving resource efficiency.
The course may also be useful for people seeking to expand their knowledge of sustainable production and circular resource use.
Digital Certificate and Badge
The FAO eLearning Academy identifies this as a certified course.
According to the course information, learners can obtain a digital badge after completing the course and passing the final examination with a score of at least 75%.
Participants should complete the learning materials and follow the platform’s instructions to access the examination.
A digital badge can help demonstrate completion of professional learning. However, it should not be confused with an academic degree or professional licence.
How to Enrol in the FAO Online Course
Interested learners can access the course through the FAO eLearning Academy.
Follow these steps:
- Visit the official course page.
- Review the course description and learning requirements.
- Register for an account or log in to the platform.
- Access the course materials and complete the learning activities.
- Take the final examination after completing the course.
- Achieve a score of at least 75% to qualify for the digital badge.
APPLY ON THIS OFFICIAL WEBSITE
Learners who need assistance with registration or accessing the course can consult the platform’s official help and support section.
Why This Course Matters
Reducing food loss, improving resource efficiency and promoting sustainable production are important priorities for food systems around the world.
Aquatic food by-products can represent an opportunity to recover valuable resources that would otherwise go unused. Learning how these materials can be managed and transformed may help professionals identify more sustainable approaches to aquatic food production and processing.
By introducing bioeconomy principles, the 4R approach and fish silage production, this course provides a foundation for understanding how aquatic food value chains can contribute to more efficient resource use.
Final Thoughts
The FAO Aquatic Food By-Products Valorization course offers an online learning opportunity for people interested in fisheries, aquaculture, sustainable food systems and the bioeconomy.
Learners can explore methods for reducing food waste, improving resource utilisation and making better use of fish-processing by-products. Those who successfully complete the final examination with a score of at least 75% can qualify for the course’s digital badge.
Visit the official FAO eLearning Academy course page to review the details and begin learning.
