Plant Production and Protection Division (NSP)
 | The Plant Production and Protection Division (NSP) supports countries in the transition to sustainable crop production systems. NSP works with countries and a broad range of partners in developing and promoting agro-ecological approaches to sustainable crop production that build on ecosystem services while enhancing and protecting the underlying natural resource base. |
- Adopt an ecosystem approach to crop production to develop agro-ecological knowledge and practices which enhance biodiversity and ecosystem services, and contribute to climate change adaptation and resilience.
- Promote sustainable crop production and diversification to improve people’s nutrition, livelihoods and incomes in both rural and urban areas.
- Improve timeliness and productivity of agricultural operations, and enable a shift from subsistence to more market-oriented farming through appropriate mechanization systems and technologies.
- Ensure access to well adapted, resilient and nutritious crops and varieties, conserve crop germplasm and strengthen seed delivery systems.
- Monitor and respond to transboundary plant pests and diseases to mitigate their impact by setting up surveillance, early warning and effective pest control systems.
- Reduce the reliance on pesticides by applying an integrated pest management approach.
- Develop international quality standards and technical guidelines to reduce the risks of pesticide use, leading to consumer and environmental protection.
Structure
Office of the Director (NSPDD)
Director: Yurdi Yasmi
Deputy Director: Chikelu Mba
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Seed Systems (NSPS)
Contact: Aladdin Hamwieh
Cropping Systems (NSPC)
Contact: Rebbie Harawa
Mechanization and Digitalization (NSPM)
Contact: Josef Kienzle (Acting)
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Plant Health (NSPP)
Contacts: Baogen Gu / Shoki AlDobai
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Conventions (NSPI)
Contacts: Enrico Perotti - IPPC / Christine Fuell - Rotterdam Convention
Our story
FAO’s Plant Production and Protection Division is almost as old as FAO itself! First established on 22 June 1947 as the Plant Industry Branch, by 1959 it was a full division focusing on crop production, improvement and protection. During the 1960s–1980s, the Division was broadly structured on crop and grasslands production services, plant protection services, and crop ecology and genetic resources. In 1980s–2000s, there was an increased emphasis on fruits and vegetables. And, in 2020, the Division acronym changed from AGP to NSP, with a renewed focus on sustainable production and protection through optimization and minimization.
Key Publication
Highlights
- One Country One Priority Product
- International Year of Millets 2023
- Urban and peri-urban agriculture
- International Day of Plant Health
- Agroecology Knowledge Hub
- Sustainable Agricultural Mechanization