FAO launches first e-learning course on biodiversity and agrifood systems

Rome – As biodiversity loss continues at the ecosystem, species and genetic levels – putting food security, nutrition and livelihoods at risk – the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has launched a new e-learning course, Biodiversity and agrifood systems – Introduction.

Developed by the Biodiversity Mainstreaming Unit in the Office of Climate Change, Biodiversity and Environment, with financial support from the Governments of the Netherlands and Switzerland, the course supports countries and stakeholders in their efforts to mainstream biodiversity across agrifood systems.

A foundational course for diverse audiences

Designed for government officials and policymakers, programme and project managers, researchers, and agrifood practitioners, the course offers a clear introduction to the critical interlinkages between biodiversity and agrifood systems, and why these connections matter to ensure their sustainability.

This introduction is the first module in a planned four-part series that will strengthen capacities to manage, monitor and integrate biodiversity across all agricultural sectors.

What you will learn, in four steps

The course starts with an overview of what biodiversity means at ecosystem, species and genetic levels, and how these three dimensions intersect within agrifood systems.

Through practical examples and scientific evidence, users will then be able to better understand the importance of biodiversity for food security, nutrition and the resilience of agrifood systems.

The third lesson focuses on the current status of our planet’s biodiversity, the reasons why it is threatened, and the key direct and indirect drivers of biodiversity loss, including those specifically related to agrifood systems. 

To conclude, the course presents the concept of mainstreaming biodiversity across agrifood systems and how it can be applied at different scales, including examples of practical actions that can be taken and key stakeholders involved in the process. 

Future courses in this series will delve deeper into the management, monitoring and policy frameworks related to biodiversity and agrifood systems. Together, these courses will support the implementation of FAO's Strategy on Mainstreaming Biodiversity across Agricultural Sectors and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.

The open-access course is now available on the FAO e-learning Academy.

Explore more FAO resources on Biodiversity

To further support countries in integrating biodiversity across agrifood systems and improving access to knowledge, the FAO Biodiversity Knowledge Hub centralizes key FAO resources on biodiversity and agrifood systems, including publications, data, indicators and communities.