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2.6 billion people draw their livelihoods mostly from agriculture

MON // 26.11.2018

The planet will have to feed an additional 1.5 billion people in 2030, 90% of whom will be living in developing countries; and, the world will need to raise its food production by 60-70% to feed more than nine billion people by 2050.

Every day, agriculture produces an average of 23.7 million tons of food, provides livelihoods for 2.5 billion people, and is the largest source of income and jobs for poor, rural households. In developing countries, agriculture accounts for 29% of GDP and 65% of jobs.

The different crop varieties and animal breeds used in agriculture around the world are based on the world’s genetic diversity. In addition, biodiversity directly supports agriculture systems by helping to ensure soil fertility, pollination and pest control. For these reasons, biodiversity is key for producing food for a growing world population. Biodiversity is crucial to the reduction of poverty, due to the basic goods and ecosystem services it provides. Biodiversity must therefore be protected and sustainably used for achieving poverty reduction and sustainable development.

More information:

Sustainable Agriculture Press Brief

Traditional Knowledge, Innovations and Practices