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.

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.

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.

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.

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.