The United Nations has declared 2020 as the International Year of Plant Health (IYPH). The year is a once in a lifetime opportunity to raise global awareness on how protecting plant health can help end hunger, reduce poverty, protect the environment, and boost economic development.


Read more

Watch the Promo Video

Share this video on social media to inspire action for #PlantHealth!

Discover more

Events

A large number of events - from exhibitions, to cultural performances, contests, panel discussions and conferences – are taking place across the world to mark the International Year of Plant Health 2020.

Explore

location_onRome

Commission on
Phytosanitary Measures

15 - 19 March 2021

location_onHelsinki

International Plant Health Conference

28 June - 1 July 2021

Join Us

Whether you’re a business, NGO, journalist, media agency, or just a regular person, you can call for action to improve plant health and build a better future. Plan an event or spread the word, and let us know if you need our help.
We can provide you with a range of promotional materials in several languages – a brochure, video, event banner, web or social media graphics.


Read more

Key Facts

Plants are life

Plants make up 80% of the food we eat and produce 98% of the oxygen we breathe.

Economic benefits

The annual value of trade in agricultural products has grown almost three-fold over the past decade, largely in emerging economies and developing countries, reaching USD 1.7 trillion.

A growing demand

FAO estimates that agricultural production must rise about 60% by 2050 in order to feed a larger and generally richer population.

Pest destruction

Plant pests are responsible for losses of up to 40% percent of food crops globally, and for trade losses in agricultural products worth over USD 220 billion each year.

Climate impacts

Climate change threatens to reduce not only the quantity of crops, lowering yields, but also the nutritious value. Rising temperatures also mean that more plant pests are appearing earlier and in places where they were never seen before.

Beneficial bugs

Beneficial insects are vital for plant health - for pollination, pest control, soil health, nutrient recycling – and yet, insect abundance has fallen 80% in the last 25-30 years.

Hungry pests

One million locusts can eat about one tonne of food a day, and the largest swarms can consume over 100 000 tonnes each day, or enough to feed tens of thousands of people for one year.

Plant Health Communication Guide

Communications Guide

Find out more about how you can take part and promote the International Year of Plant Health 2020 by reading our Communications Guide

Download