Achieving an environmentally sustainable increase of production and access to affordable healthy diets is key
This should be done while protecting and enhancing the livelihoods of the world’s small-scale agricultural producers and other agrifood system actors. Yet agricultural production systems still lack integration, optimization, diversification, and innovation, while relying on the intensive use of chemical inputs and of natural resources. Global food supplies today rely on just a few crops and animal species, increasing the vulnerability to biotic stresses.
That’s why plant production and protection should focus on sustainable:
Plant production systems
Plant production is the foundation of food and agriculture. Upon this foundation humanity has built livelihoods and its civilization in a more food secure world. Plant production is a catalyst for economic and social development but must keep pace with the demand for safe and nutritious food produced in an environmental-friendly manner. In a global economy, sustainable plant production faces multidimensional and complex challenges, such as population growth, urbanization, and climate change.
Seed system management
Farmers require quality seeds and planting materials of well- adapted improved crop varieties that are productive, nutritious, resistant to biotic and abiotic stresses and, in general, meet end-users’ preferences. This is because the cultivation of an improved crop variety can result in 50 to 90 percent increase in productivity.
Plant pest management
Pests and diseases are a severe threat to food security, trade and livelihoods globally. Every year, up to 40 percent of crops are lost due to plant pests and diseases. FAO promotes sustainable and ecological approaches including integrated pest management to prevent and control the potential impact of pests and diseases through continuous monitoring, early warning, prompt response, innovative and environmentally friendly preventive control strategies to sustainably manage pests and diseases.
Pesticide management
Sustainable pesticide management is imperative for better environment and health protection. The inappropriate use of pesticides may lead to increased risks to human health and the environment. An integrated approach would be applied to address all aspects of pesticide management throughout lifecycle of pesticides with multisector collaboration and engagement of all relevant stakeholders.
Technology innovation and transformation
With climate change advancing fast, technologies and practices need more than ever to be locally adapted to meet the needs of producers of different ages and gender, for this and future generations. Research and science need to work alongside farmers to test new tools and approaches and co-create innovations. To do this, farmers should integrate locally adapted sustainable technologies into their farming systems and communities, to improve livelihoods while regenerating local ecosystems.
These sustainable production and protection technologies can greatly contribute to ensuring food security and nutrition, promoting food quality and safety, supporting farmers’ livelihoods, protecting the environment and biodiversity, and facilitating safe trade and economic growth.
Plant Production and Protection news
Events
Hybrid Event, Roma (Italy)
Latest events
Regional Launch for Latin America and the Caribbean of The Third Report on the State of the World’s Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture
24/11/2025
Regional Launch for Latin America and the Caribbean of The Third Report on the State of the World’s Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture,...
Roma (Italy)
Latest events
FAO Smart Farming Initiative global workshop
17/11/2025
Building on the significant momentum for transforming cropping systems generated through this Initiative, a global workshop is being organized at...
Latest events
Inception Workshop for the Global OCOP Project in Samoa under the FAO-China South-South Cooperation Programme and Technical Training on the Implementation of OCOP Initiative for the Pacific Islands
18/11/2025 - 20/11/2025
The inception workshop for the Global Project in Samoa under the FAO-China South-South Cooperation Programme and Technical Training on the Implementation...
Goals
Developing sustainable crop production systems for a world free from hunger
Protecting the environment and biodiversity and facilitating safe trade and economic growth
Enabling more efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable crop production and protection
Enhancing farmers' timely access to affordable quality and safe seeds and planting materials
Ensuring food security and nutrition through sustainable plant production and protection
Minimizing agricultural chemical inputs and mitigating climate change impact
Key areas
Tools
Tools
Pesticide Registration Toolkit
The FAO Pesticide Registration Toolkit is a decision support system for pesticide registrars in low and middle income countries.
Tools
City Region Food Systems Assessment and Planning Online Toolkit
To complement the CRFS Assessment and Planning Handbook, the online Toolkit provides supplementary explanations, practical tools, training materials, technical examples, and workshop resources related to activities within each project module.
Tools
Rotterdam Convention Technical Assistance Interactive Map
The interactive map allows users to have a comprehensive overview of the work of the Rotterdam Convention.
Tools
Tool for Agroecology Performance Evaluation (TAPE)
How agroecology supports the transformation to more sustainable agricultural and food systems.
FAO's stories on Plant Production and Protection
Related topics
- FAO's Plant Production and Protection Division (NSP)
- Global Action on Pollination Services for Sustainable Agriculture
- One Country One Priority Product (OCOP)
- Sustainable Agricultural Mechanization
- Scaling up Climate Ambition on Land Use and Agriculture through Nationally Determined Contributions and National Adaptation Plans (SCALA)
Multimedia
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Latest publications
Publications
Field survey guidance for Ralstonia solanacearum
2025
This publication provides easy-to-follow protocols for technical personnel of national plant protection organizations in Africa to survey Ralstonia...
Publications
Field survey guidance for Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense Tropical Race 4
2025
This field survey guidance provides easy-to-follow guidelines for technical personnel of national plant protection organizations, to survey Fusarium...
Publications
International Code of Conduct on Pesticide Management – Guidance on options for reducing risk when phasing out pesticides
2025
This FAO-WHO guidance document provides a roadmap for governments and stakeholders to safely phase out hazardous pesticides. It offers practical tools...
Publications
Field survey guidance for Spodoptera frugiperda
2025
This field survey guidance document provides a protocol for technical personnel of national plant protection organizations (NPPOs) to monitor, detect,...
Publications
African armyworm technical manual
2025
This technical manual provides essential guidance for extension service providers and farmer communities to manage African armyworm in smallholder cropping...
Publications
Report of the First FAO Technical Workshop on the Implementation of One Country One Priority Product Initiative for Demonstration Countries
2025
This report summarizes the First FAO Technical Workshop on the OCOP Initiative, held from 15 to 18 July 2024 in Sanya, China with experts from 16 OCOP...
Thematic highlight
Gender equality in plant production and protection
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