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Which biological resources do we rely on for 80 percent of the food we eat and 98 percent of the oxygen we breathe? Plants, of course!

Plants are essential to human and planetary health and one of the foundations of a sustainable and circular bioeconomy. They provide food, feed, energy, medicine, cosmetics, clothes and shelter. They absorb carbon, improve soil fertility, store water and clean our air. They are a source of income and livelihood opportunities for millions of rural people. And they inspire artists, offer spaces for recreation and tourism, and give people relief from the stresses of daily life. In short, they’re pretty amazing.

Unfortunately, many plants are at risk from factors such as pests and diseases, climate change, inappropriate and excessive use of agrochemicals like pesticides and fertilizers, and unsustainable production practices (e.g. deforestation).

Sustainable and circular bioeconomy solutions based on responsible consumption and production can help us mitigate these risk factors in many ways, including: phytoremediation and restoration of polluted soils and water; support for diverse cropping and crop rotation systems; integrated pest management; bio-based alternatives to fertilizers; sustainable forestry production; and circular use of plant residues for textiles, energy and other bio-based materials.

International Day of Plant Health (IDPH) 2023, celebrated on 12 May, has a special emphasis on keeping our plants healthy and helping protect the environment and biodiversity. Let’s use the opportunity to celebrate the extraordinary role these precious biological resources play in our lives and to underline how bioeconomy for sustainable food and agriculture can support plant health.

More information on IDPH 2023 is available here → https://www.fao.org/plant-health-day/en

Link

Bioeconomy Talks: Biopesticides with Buyung Hadi

12/05/2023