AGRIFOOD SYSTEMS IN NATIONAL BIODIVERSITY STRATEGIES AND ACTION PLANS – Draft guidance for target 10 of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework
The adoption of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF) at the Fifteenth Conference of the Parties (COP15) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) marked a significant commitment by 196 countries to a shared vision of a world living in harmony with nature. The KMGBF outlines four ambitious goals for 2050 and 23 specific targets for 2030.
Agrifood systems are directly or indirectly linked to all the targets of the KMGBF. This gives national agrifood systems and local actors an essential role to play in its achievement, including farmers, forest managers, forest-dependent people, land and water resource managers, fisherfolks and aquaculturists, beekeepers, Indigenous Peoples and others. Target 10 in particular commits countries to managing areas under agriculture, aquaculture, fisheries and forestry sustainably, including through the sustainable use of biodiversity and a substantial increase in the application of biodiversity-friendly practices. Its implementation is interrelated with and dependent on several other targets.
To implement the KMGBF, countries are developing National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs), which are the main instruments for implementing the Convention and the KMGBF.
The purpose of the draft Guidance is to provide practical recommendations for including agrifood systems and their stakeholders into the planning, implementation, and monitoring of NBSAPs, with a specific focus on Target 10 and other relevant targets. The scope covers all agrifood sectors – crop and livestock production, forestry, fisheries and aquaculture. The targeted audience for this guidance includes policy and decision-makers in biodiversity/environment and agrifood systems, producers’ organizations and other stakeholders who participate in agrifood systems and in biodiversity commitments, including civil society organizations, Indigenous Peoples, local communities, women and youth.
CONSULTATION WITH DOCUMENT
This consultation, organized by the FAO Biodiversity Mainstreaming Unit, seeks suggestions and input on the draft Guidance for target 10 of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, as well as proposals for relevant examples, materials and case studies. These contributions will help illustrate concepts, provide best practices and share success stories in the Guidance.
This draft Guidance focuses on exploring key topics and providing essential resources to support the integration of agrifood systems into NBSAPs. It emphasizes a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach. The Guidance does not provide a rigid step-by-step plan but rather offers a framework for understanding and addressing the complex relationship between biodiversity and agrifood systems. It covers key areas, including:
(i) Establishing the global context: Analyzing existing biodiversity plans and understanding the interplay between biodiversity and agricultural activities; (ii) Planning for Target 10: Providing actionable guidance on how to integrate Target 10 effectively within the framework of NBSAPs; (iii) Operationalizing implementation: Exploring enabling conditions, developing strategies for scaling up successful initiatives, and identifying practical solutions for implementation challenges; (iv) Monitoring and evaluation: Establishing robust monitoring frameworks at both national and global levels to track progress and assess the effectiveness of implemented measures. |
We kindly ask participants to use this Excel Template to submit their comments and suggestions to the draft Guidance, and to provide relevant examples. Comments are welcome in English, French and Spanish.
Contributions and the results of this consultation will be used to further elaborate and refine this Guidance. Proceedings of the contributions received will be made publicly available on this consultation webpage. Please note that only inputs provided in the Excel Template will be considered for incorporation into the final Guidance.
This consultation is open until 16 January 2025.
We thank in advance all the contributors and look forward to a productive consultation.
Co-facilitator:
Julie Bélanger, Natural Resources Officer (Biodiversity), Office of Climate Change, Biodiversity and Environment, FAO
How to take part in the e-consultation
To take part in this consultation, please register to the FSN Forum, if you are not yet a member, or “sign in” to your account. Please read the draft document and download the Excel Template. Please upload the completed template in the box “Post your contribution” on this webpage. For any technical support, please send an email to [email protected].
References
Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework
Delivering on the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework through agrifood systems
Delivering restoration outcomes for biodiversity and human well-being
FAO Strategy on Mainstreaming Biodiversity across Agriculture Sectors
Please read the article of FAO publications on this topic here.
- Read 27 contributions
Dear Participants,
We would like to express our sincere gratitude for the valuable reviews and contributions we have received for this Consultation on Draft guidance for target 10 of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. We truly appreciate the time and effort that you put into reviewing the document and providing your review and input – they will no doubt improve the document tremendously!
The Contribution call was hosted on behalf of the writers of the Guidance document from 20 December 2024 to 16 January 2025. During this period 26 submissions and comments were received, from a diverse group of participants located in over 15 countries.
Countries have until 2030 to implement their commitments under the Convention on Biological Diversity related to the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework - a very short window. We hope the guidance, once finalized, will assist agrifood stakeholders to better engage in the National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans and translate global commitments on biodiversity into action. The finalized document will be made available on the FSN Forum.
Thank you and best regards,
Julie Bélanger, Natural Resources Officer (Biodiversity), Office of Climate Change, Biodiversity and Environment, FAO
Dear Julie,
I am from the Biovision group working with a Civil Society Organization in Zimbabwe. I found it challenging to make an input on specific items. line by line as required. I have therefore thrown a broad comment on the draft. It it might be useful in finalising the draft document
Regards,
Rodger
Dear FAO and FSN Forum,
Thank you for providing the opportunity to submit comments on The Draft guidance for target 10 of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
Please find our specific comments on the document in the attached Excel file on behalf of SwedBio (https://swed.bio/).
Among other issues, our inputs stress the importance of applying a human rights-based approach in line with the Section C of the KMGBF and we have included references to existing guidance on this in relation to NBSAPs including relevant frameworks for diverse rightsholders.
Sara Elfstrand, PhD
Programme coordinator
SwedBio at Stockholm Resilience Centre
Stockholm University
SE-106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
Introduction
Agrifood systems play a pivotal role in ensuring the sustainability of biodiversity and enhancing the welfare of communities globally, as they encompass the intricate processes of food production, management, supply, and consumption, all of which are deeply interconnected with both ecological health and cultural practices. According to Cardona Santos et al. (2023), the implementation of national biodiversity programs and action plans (NBSAPs) underscores the necessity to safeguard the livelihoods of small-scale farmers and Indigenous Peoples, who serve as the primary custodians of biodiversity. These communities not only contribute significantly to local economies and food security but also possess invaluable traditional knowledge and practices essential for the conservation of diverse ecosystems. Therefore, recognizing and integrating the perspectives of these communities into agrifood systems is vital for fostering sustainable development and enhancing ecological resilience.
Agricultural land systems are integral to enhancing food security and fostering sustainable development, yet they also significantly contribute to biodiversity loss (Vianna et al., 2021). While agriculture plays a pivotal role in advancing multiple Sustainable Development Goals, it confronts substantial challenges posed by climate change and rising food demand. The Agrobiodiversity Index reveals that, despite many countries achieving moderate action and status scores for agrobiodiversity, they display low commitment scores, indicating an urgent need for more robust policies aimed at enhancing agrobiodiversity across food systems (Jones et al., 2021). In response to these pressing challenges, various sustainable agriculture methods have been proposed, including agroecology, organic farming, and precision agriculture (Çakmakçı et al., 2023), all of which strive to redesign food systems to achieve a neutral or beneficial environmental impact while ensuring food safety and nutrition. However, the successful implementation of these strategies necessitates fundamental changes in agricultural practices and policies, with the overarching goal of protecting ecosystems and biodiversity while meeting the global demand for food.
The aim of this study is to highlight the essential roles of small-scale producers and Indigenous Peoples in conserving biodiversity while emphasizing the necessity of engaging all relevant stakeholders in this effort (Zinngrebe, 2022). Recognizing the intricate relationship between agrifood systems and biodiversity is crucial for policymakers, as it enables the development of effective programs that promote sustainable practices, enhance ecosystem resilience, and empower local communities. Furthermore, the inclusion of Indigenous Peoples not only acknowledges their rights and contributions to biodiversity enhancement but also fosters the involvement of custodians of cultural practices, which is fundamental for fostering collective governance and achieving long-term sustainability in biodiversity conservation initiatives.
Small-Scale Producers visa v Indigenous Peoples Role
Small-scale producers and Indigenous Peoples are instrumental in the preservation of agricultural biodiversity and the promotion of sustainable food systems, as they bring forth extensive traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) honed over centuries of managing their local environments. Their farming practices, which often encompass methods such as crop rotation, the cultivation of native crops, and the utilization of locally adapted livestock breeds, significantly contribute to the resilience of ecosystems. Moreover, by engaging in diverse cropping systems and adopting sustainable agricultural practices, these communities not only enhance biodiversity but also strengthen ecosystem stability, which is critical for ensuring food security in an increasingly uncertain agricultural landscape.
The cultural significance of biodiversity holds profound importance for Indigenous and local communities, as they perceive nature as intricately linked to their cultural identity and spiritual beliefs. This intrinsic connection motivates these communities to actively engage in the protection and management of biodiversity, as their stewardship not only preserves genetic diversity but also sustains traditional landscapes and ecosystems that are essential for the survival of various species. Consequently, small-scale producers and Indigenous Peoples emerge as vital custodians of ecological heritage, playing a critical role in safeguarding the continuity of biodiversity for future generations and contributing to the overall health of our planet's ecosystems.
Small-scale manufacturers play a crucial role in local economies and food systems by providing fresh produce to local markets through indigenous farmers, thereby enhancing food security and nutrition within their communities; moreover, their contributions are integral to the economic fabric of different regions, as they create jobs and support local livelihoods. These farming activities not only sustain the farmers’ families but also bolster overall community resilience. Therefore, it is essential to recognize and support the roles of these stakeholders in agrifood systems to promote sustainable development while aligning with biodiversity conservation goals.
Encounters confronting Small-Scale Producers and Indigenous Peoples
Small farmers and Indigenous Peoples play a vital role in sustaining biodiversity; however, they face significant challenges that endanger their livelihoods and the ecosystems they help preserve. One of the foremost issues is land tenure insecurity, which refers to the absence of formal recognition of their land rights. This lack of legal protection renders these communities vulnerable to land grabs, resource exploitation, and environmental degradation, ultimately undermining their capacity to conserve biodiversity effectively. Consequently, securing land rights emerges as a critical prerequisite for empowering these communities, ensuring their active role in managing and safeguarding natural resources for the long term.
Indigenous people and small-scale farmers confront significant barriers to market access, which leads to their economic marginalization; consequently, many are compelled to establish informal markets due to insufficient resources, information, and infrastructure that hinder their capacity to compete with larger agribusinesses (Jones, Estrada-Carmona, Juventia, Dulloo, Laporte, Villani, and Remans, 2021). These economic pressures not only drive them toward monoculture practices that prioritize short-term gains over long-term sustainability but also contribute to a concerning decline in biodiversity. Therefore, enhancing market access is crucial, as it fosters equitable economic opportunities and encourages small-scale producers to adopt practices that are more conducive to biodiversity preservation.
Climate change presents a substantial challenge to the livelihoods of small-scale producers and Indigenous Peoples, as alterations in weather patterns are resulting in more frequent extreme weather events and shifting pest and disease dynamics, thereby threatening agricultural practices and food security. The vulnerability of these communities is exacerbated by their limited resources and adaptive capacity to effectively respond to such climatic changes. Consequently, it is imperative to integrate programs aimed at enhancing resilience to climate impacts into National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs), as this integration will not only support small-scale producers but also safeguard the biodiversity upon which their livelihoods fundamentally depend.
Position of Stakeholder Engagement
The successful integration of agrifood systems into national biodiversity strategies necessitates the engagement of diverse groups of stakeholders, as their collaboration is essential for fostering a comprehensive understanding of the interconnected challenges and opportunities inherent in both biodiversity and food systems (Zinngrebe, 2022). By nurturing multi-stakeholder partnerships, these groups can effectively pool their resources, knowledge, and expertise, thereby enhancing the decision-making processes to be more inclusive and impactful. Furthermore, a collaborative governance framework not only elevates the voices of small-scale producers, Indigenous Peoples, government agencies, NGOs, and the private sector but also streamlines the formulation of policies that are both equitable and sustainable, ultimately contributing to a robust response to the complexities facing our food and biodiversity systems.
Engaging stakeholders is essential for raising awareness about the importance of biodiversity within agrifood systems, as education and outreach initiatives empower communities and stakeholders to recognize their roles as guardians of biodiversity (Çakmakçı, Salık, and Çakmakçı, 2023). Participation in these programs fosters a culture of stewardship and responsibility, which is vital for cultivating a sense of shared commitment to environmental sustainability. Moreover, a collective effort among stakeholders is crucial for developing innovative solutions that promote biodiversity conservation, thereby ensuring food security and enhancing economic viability. By adopting this collaborative approach, we not only improve the resilience of agrifood systems but also make significant progress towards achieving global biodiversity targets.
The active participation of stakeholders is vital for achieving policy coherence in the agricultural and environmental sectors, as it enables the integration of agrifood priorities into broader biodiversity frameworks. This integration simplifies the alignment of goals and facilitates collaborative actions. A commitment to cross-sectoral teamwork is essential, as it recognizes that the health of agrifood systems is intrinsically linked to the health of ecosystems. By embracing this interconnectedness, stakeholders can collaboratively develop comprehensive strategies that not only support biodiversity conservation but also promote sustainable food production, thereby fostering a holistic approach to addressing these interrelated challenges.
Recommendations
The study proposes the following recommendations to improve agrifood systems in national biodiversity strategies:
Strengthen Legal Frameworks-Governments need to find and enforce robust legal frameworks that protect the rights of small-scale producers and Indigenous Peoples. This will ensure these groups secure land tenure and access to resources. Legal recognition of land rights is vital for permitting these communities and safeguarding biodiversity.
Promote sustainable agricultural practices should incentivize sustainable agricultural practices to promote and enhance biodiversity, for example, agroecology, organic farming, and permaculture. Also, financial and technical support is needed to assist small-scale producers to transition these practices while continuing their livelihoods.
Enhance market access support programs to facilitate market access for small-scale producers, including cooperatives, fair trade initiatives, and value chain development. Improving market access will increase economic viability, leading to the promotion of biodiversity-friendly practices.
Foster collaborative governance-there is a need to create an environment that encourages participatory governance models that include small-scale producers and Indigenous Peoples in decision-making processes related to agrifood systems and biodiversity conservation. This will promote equitable and effective policies that reproduce the needs and rights of these communities.
REFERENCES
Cardona Santos, E.M., Kinniburgh, F., Schmid, S., Büttner, N., Pröbstl, F., Liswanti, N., Komarudin, H., Borasino, E., Ntawuhiganayo, E. and Zinngrebe, Y. (2023). Mainstreaming revisited: Experiences from eight countries on the role of National Biodiversity Strategies in practice. Earth System Governance.
Viana, C.M., Freire, D., Abrantes, P., Rocha, J. and Pereira, P. (2021). Agricultural land systems importance for supporting food security and sustainable development goals: A systematic review. The Science of the total environment, 150718.
Zinngrebe, Y. (2022). Transformative Biodiversity Governance in Agricultural Landscapes: Taking Stock of Biodiversity Policy Integration and Looking Forward. Published online by Cambridge University Press.
Jones, S.K., Estrada-Carmona, N., Juventia, S.D., Dulloo, M.E., Laporte, M., Villani, C. and Remans, R. (2021). Agrobiodiversity Index scores show agrobiodiversity is underutilized in national food systems. Nature Food, 2, 712 - 723.
Çakmakçı, R., Salık, M.A. and Çakmakçı, S. (2023). Assessment and Principles of Environmentally Sustainable Food and Agriculture Systems. Agriculture.
Senior UN Policy Manager
ProVeg International
The draft guidance for achieving target 10 of KMGBFi.e., for biodiversity mainstreaming in agrifood systems of the Country through NBSAP, is systematically written—however, w.r.t listed biodiversity-friendly practices. Traditional home gardens maintained by Indigenous people can act as reference sites for monitoring the progress of target 10 for the region, as they are sites of agrobiodiversity conservation. Efforts to protect and promote them through policies are needed . This can be incorporated into the draft.

Dr. Georgina Catacora-Vargas
Dear FAO and FSN colleagues,
Yesterday I could not access the forum, I hope it is not too late to share my comments on the draft Guidance for Target 10 in the document attached.
Best wishes,
Georgina Catacora-Vargas
Dear FSN-Forum,
Thank you for the opportunity to provide input on this guidance. Please find attached comments from the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD).
Many thanks,
Victoria Crawford
Dear FAO colleagues from the Office of Climate Change, Biodiversity and Environment,
Thank you for the opportunity to provide input on the draft Guidance for Target 10. We appreciate your efforts to develop a comprehensive and inclusive framework for guiding parties in the integration of agrifood systems into the design and effective implementation of their National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs).
This is certainly timely, as it has been the subject of our own concerns since the adoption of the KMBGF. We strongly believe that agroecology, as highlighted in this guidance document co-developed by several actors throughout an extensive consultation process called "Boosting Biodiversity Action through Agroecology" (nbsap.futureoffood.org), offers a practical and transformative pathway to achieve the objectives of Target 10 and related goals.
As acknowledged recently in many multilateral processes - including the International Soil and Water Forum 2024, co-organized by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Royal Thai Government in Bangkok - transforming food systems is essential to tackling the interconnected challenges of land and soil degradation, water scarcity, biodiversity loss, pollution, and the urgent climate threats to food security and nutrition; and that innovative solutions to address these challenges recognize the importance of agroecological principles in maintaining healthy and productive food systems under climate change, protecting soil and water resources while achieving food security.
By providing concrete, evidence-based recommendations and actionable interventions, Boosting Biodiversity Action through Agroecology aligns with and could enhance the FAO’s draft guidance by addressing critical gaps and implementable policy intervention areas.
Boosting Biodiversity Action through Agroecology is the result of a collaborative effort led by five leading organizations with decades of experience in food systems and biodiversity: the Global Alliance for the Future of Food, Biovision Foundation, WWF, the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT, and the Agroecology Coalition. This resource was developed through an extensive 2-year consultation process, involving experts including government representatives, civil society organizations, farmers groups, Indigenous representatives and business leaders. Colleagues from more than 22 countries were involved in its production, reflecting the expertise and perspectives of diverse groups of actors and geographies.
Launched at COP16 in Cali, Colombia, the document offers:
- Compelling evidence of agroecology’s benefits for biodiversity conservation and restoration.
- Practical advice on mainstreaming agroecology as a food system approach within NBSAPs.
- 14 agroecological intervention areas spanning production to consumption, addressing multiple GBF Targets. Examples include transitioning to ecological farming practices, fostering seed diversity, and reducing polluting synthetic inputs.
- Actionable recommendations to support these interventions through robust policies, financing mechanisms, monitoring frameworks, governance rules, and institutional capacity-building.
- Practical information on the role that agroecology can play in delivering on multiple GBF targets while addressing current and future interconnected challenges in nutrition, health, economic stability, climate mitigation and adaptation, and environmental sustainability.
For facilitating accessibility and engagement, the guidance is available as an online, user-friendly and interactive microsite available under nbsap.futureoffood.org.
We have reviewed the Draft Guidance for Target 10 and identified several areas where this guidance can specifically contribute and be referenced, particularly through case studies and practical examples. These inputs are detailed in the attached Excel Template as requested.
Additionally, we find it important to maintain consistency with the language already agreed upon in the negotiations. In this respect, the definitions introduced should align with those already included in CBD’s Guidance Notes on KMGBF targets. For example the CBD Guidance Notes for Target 10 included a section called “Relevant resources that can assist implementation”, which lists 48 resources under ‘tools and guidance’. We kindly recommend revisiting this in collaboration with CBD and other interested actors to identify the most useful resources, cluster them thematically, and thereby facilitate their selection and application by parties.
Lastly, while we commend FAO for initiating this important consultation, we believe that a longer and more interactive consultation process would have enabled broader and deeper engagement, particularly with grassroots organizations. Conducting the consultation over the end-of-year period has limited the ability of many actors to contribute fully. Our organizations have shared this opportunity with dozens of local partners, but additional time would have facilitated greater participation.
We are happy to provide further input or clarification as needed and look forward to continuing to engage and contribute to this relevant process.
Matheus Alves Zanella
Senior Advisor, Global Fora,
on behalf of
Global Alliance for the Future of Food, Biovision Foundation, WWF International, Alliance Bioversity-CIAT, and Agroecology Coalition
Thank-you for providing the opportunity to submit comments on The Draft guidance for target 10 of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. More detail on our specific comments on the document can be found in the attached Excel file.
CropLife International has pledged four Commitments to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) Action Agenda. More detail can be found on the Convention on Biological Diversity Action Agenda portal. Building on these commitments, CropLife International was pleased to release our third biodiversity report, Nature Positive Agriculture: A CropLife International Perspective. The report details actions and innovations within the plant science industry that support biodiversity, aimed at facilitating dialogue, addressing questions from stakeholders, and supporting meaningful engagement in biodiversity discussions.
We wish to stress the need for balanced approaches that integrate agricultural innovation, risk-based assessments, and regulations that foster plant science research and development. Approaches that restrict the toolbox of innovation or new technology adoption in agriculture could undermine the objective of Target 10 to enhance sustainable agriculture and increase the resilience of food systems currently under threat from biodiversity loss and climate change.
This activity is now closed. Please contact [email protected] for any further information.