FAO: 40% of Food Crops Lost to Plant, Pest Diseases Annually

Gilbert Ekugbe 

The Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) has lamented that about 40 per cent of food crops are lost due to plant and pest diseases every year.

According to a statement obtained from its website, the staggering loss affects global food security and agriculture, the main source of income for many vulnerable rural communities.

FAO also stated that climate change and weather extremes are also impacting plant health and altering ecosystems, while creating new niches for pests to thrive.

To commemorate this year’s International Day of Plant Health FAO is shining light on the importance of leveraging innovation to protect plants, which are indispensable essential for sustaining life on earth.

“This year’s observance focuses on the many innovations that cut across areas where plant health is crucial such as plant pest monitoring to protect agricultural production and digital systems to ensure the safe international trade in plants. We have no option but to leverage innovation, technological advancements and tools to protect plants,” said FAO Deputy Director-General, Beth Bechdol.

“The unprecedented global challenges we face, such as the unrelenting climate crisis, demand innovative approaches and digital technologies to support countries with stronger pest surveillance and early warning systems,” she added.

The UN-designated International Day of Plant Health (IDPH) is a key legacy of the International Year of Plant Health 2020. Ever since then it has been raising global awareness on how protecting plant health can help end hunger, reduce poverty, protect biodiversity and the environment, and boost economic development. This year’s celebrations at FAO include a high-level event.

International travel and trade, which has tripled in volume in the last decade, has led to increased interconnectedness among countries and regions. This underlines the importance of ensuring that people, goods and commodities crossing borders do not carry pests and diseases affecting plants, animals and humans.

Through the IPPC, FAO is implementing the Africa Phytosanitary Programme to build capacities and supporting countries in using the latest scientific evidence and digital technology in detecting plant pests.