Combatting wheat rust diseases: Strengthening national capacities and international collaboration

Wheat is the most widely grown crop globally and a source of food and livelihoods for over 1 billion people in many developing countries. Rust diseases are historically the most damaging diseases of wheat. Their frequency, extent and impact has increased significantly in the last two decades causing global concerns. Their high capacity of developing new races makes most wheat varieties vulnerable to them. FAO is continuously re-enforcing its collaboration with partners to enhance countries’ capacities in prevention and preparedness to rust diseases.