AGP addresses the development of sustainable agricultural systems to improve crop and grassland productivity, to create conditions for enhanced food security and general eonomic development and to conserve the environment through the development of agriculture's biological resources. AGP's activities include the provision of regional and global fora for common action among countries and programmes on the conservation of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture (PGRFA), crop improvement and seed production development, and

environmentally sound management of pests including Integrated Pest Management (IPM). Major outputs cover seed security, a rolling Global Plan of Action for the conservation and sustainable use of PGRFA, biosecurity in relation to the spread of plant pests and weeds including International Standards for Phytosanitary measures, reduction of risks of pesticide use to the human health and the environment and ecological approaches to achieve sustainable intensification of crop and grassland production and diversification opportunities.

Integrated Pest Management

International Plant Protection Convention

Emergency Prevention System for Transboundary Animal and Plant Pests and Disease

Seed Production Development and Improvement

CFS-NENA; ASN; SNAP; SCF-LAC

Consultative Group and Seed Security Networks

Rolling Global Plan of Action for the Conservation and Sustainable Utilization of PGRFA

Ex situ/In situ PGRFA International Networks Crop-related Networks

World Information and Early Warning System on PGR / Seed Information System

Conservation and Sustainable Use of Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture

The Service provides technical advice to FAO members on increasing sustainable crop and grassland production through crop improvement, development of integrated production systems, rational grassland management and application of biotechnology techniques.

The Service promotes environmentally safe and sustainable plant protection actions and systems, with emphasis on international cooperation and sustainable systems that are safe for human health and the environment and do not unduly restrict international trade.

The Service provides technical and policy advice and assistance on plant genetic resources conservation and use, and seed and planting material improvement and production, including seed security. It also supports the FAO Global System on the Conservation and Utilisation of Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (PGRFA) and promotes the implementation of the Global Plan of Action for the conservation and sustainable use of PGRFA (GPA).