Achieving an environmentally sustainable increase of production and access to affordable healthy diets is key
This should be done while protecting and enhancing the livelihoods of the world’s small-scale agricultural producers and other agrifood system actors. Yet agricultural production systems still lack integration, optimization, diversification, and innovation, while relying on the intensive use of chemical inputs and of natural resources. Global food supplies today rely on just a few crops and animal species, increasing the vulnerability to biotic stresses.
That’s why plant production and protection should focus on sustainable:
Plant production systems
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.
Seed system management
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.
Plant pest management
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.
Pesticide management
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.
Technology innovation and transformation
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.
These sustainable production and protection technologies can greatly contribute to ensuring food security and nutrition, promoting food quality and safety, supporting farmers’ livelihoods, protecting the environment and biodiversity, and facilitating safe trade and economic growth.
Plant Production and Protection news
Events
Hybrid Event
Latest events
FAO Global Conference for actions on One Health in agrifood systems
21/09/2026 - 27/09/2026
The FAO Global Conference will bring together global leaders, technical experts, partners and stakeholders to accelerate the practical application of...
Hybrid Event
Latest events
FAO Global Conference on Smart Farming
01/07/2026 - 03/07/2026
FAO is organizing the Global Conference on Smart Farming: Leveraging data and technology for sustainable agrifood systems from 1 to 3 July 2026 at FAO...
Goals
Developing sustainable crop production systems for a world free from hunger
Protecting the environment and biodiversity and facilitating safe trade and economic growth
Enabling more efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable crop production and protection
Enhancing farmers' timely access to affordable quality and safe seeds and planting materials
Ensuring food security and nutrition through sustainable plant production and protection
Minimizing agricultural chemical inputs and mitigating climate change impact
Key areas
Tools
Tools
Pesticide Registration Toolkit
The FAO Pesticide Registration Toolkit is a decision support system for pesticide registrars in low and middle income countries.
Tools
City Region Food Systems Assessment and Planning Online Toolkit
To complement the CRFS Assessment and Planning Handbook, the online Toolkit provides supplementary explanations, practical tools, training materials, technical examples, and workshop resources related to activities within each project module.
Tools
Rotterdam Convention Technical Assistance Interactive Map
The interactive map allows users to have a comprehensive overview of the work of the Rotterdam Convention.
Tools
Tool for Agroecology Performance Evaluation (TAPE)
How agroecology supports the transformation to more sustainable agricultural and food systems.
FAO's stories on Plant Production and Protection
Related topics
- FAO's Plant Production and Protection Division (NSP)
- Global Action on Pollination Services for Sustainable Agriculture
- One Country One Priority Product (OCOP)
- Sustainable Agricultural Mechanization
- Scaling up Climate Ambition on Land Use and Agriculture through Nationally Determined Contributions and National Adaptation Plans (SCALA)
Multimedia
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Latest publications
Brochure
Seed systems – Twenty things you need to know
2026
This leaflet provides clear and accessible answers to key questions about seed systems and FAO’s work in supporting sustainable agrifood systems. Through...
Brochure
Pesticides – Twenty things you need to know
2026
This leaflet aims to enhance understanding of the role of pesticides in agrifood systems by addressing key questions in a clear and accessible format....
Sustainable agricultural mechanization – Transforming smallholder farmers' livelihoods
2026
This global programme is proposed to enhance the adoption of sustainable agricultural mechanization, i.e. the use of farm machinery and sundry mechanical...
Plant health for One Health – Healthy plants for a healthy world
2026
This proposed global programme is aimed at reducing annual crop losses by USD 5 billion through strengthened institutional and human capacities for...
Climate-resilient drylands – Climate adaptation for sustainable and resilient dryland harvests
2026
The programme is envisaged to transform fragile landscapes in the target ecologies of ten countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Near East...
Ecosystem services for sustainable crop production systems – Harnessing biodiversity-friendly agricultural practices
2026
This global programme will strengthen institutional and human capacities for the management of biodiversity, including plant genetic resources for food...
Thematic highlight
Gender equality in plant production and protection
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