Prevention and mitigation

FAO is a member of the International Strategy for Disaster Reduction System (ISDR), helping member countries develop risk reduction policies and practices in agriculture, forestry and fisheries. FAO promotes:

• sector policy framework and institutional set-up for risk management
• sustainable natural resource-management practices
• use of agricultural, forestry and fishery mitigation measures as well as structural mitigation measures

Several of FAO’s activities are highly relevant for disaster prevention and mitigation, including:

Access to land

FAO seeks to improve access to land in countries emerging from violent conflict (e.g. Angola, Mozambique and the Sudan) and from natural disasters such as the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. It has developed tools for project designers, land administration and land tenure specialists.

Adaptation to climate variability and change

FAO's programme on climate change aims at increasing the resilience of agricultural systems to adverse effects of weather and climate change, for example through the use of drought-resistant crops.

Conservation agriculture

Conservation agriculture lessens soil disturbance and aids permanent soil cover and crop rotation. These practices help minimize risk of erosion on steep land and increase yields of smallholder farmers in drought-prone countries.

Institutions, policies and legislation  

The FAO programme on the role of institutions in disaster risk management assists countries in their efforts towards better planned, long-term risk prevention and preparedness strategies.

Integrated Pest Management

Integrated pest management (IPM) reduces pest populations and keeps pesticides to levels that are economically justified and safe for human health and the environment.

IPM relies on the use of pest-resistant varieties, the actions of natural enemies and on cultural control, so increasing the sustainability of farming systems.  

Programmes are usually implemented through farmer field schools.

Integrated watershed management

Integrated watershed management promotes sustainable management of natural resources within a river basin. It highlights links between human activities and communities’ exposure to risks such as soil erosion and landslides.

Precautionary fisheries measures

FAO promotes fisheries measures, namely:

• installation/improvement of storm-warning systems
• training of fishers in safety precautions
• contingency planning for disease and pollution
• fisheries insurance schemes

Seed security

Seed security involves access by farming households to adequate quantities of good-quality seeds and planting materials of adapted crop varieties at all times.  Interventions to enhance seed security in farming systems include seed and cultural fairs, community-based seed production and storage systems and seed recovery programmes. 

Water quality and environment

The Water Quality Programme addresses issues such as rehabilitation of soil and water contaminated by hazardous chemicals, waterlogging, soil salinization and reuse of treated wastewater for irrigation.