Plant Production and Protection

Areas of work

Knowledge Platform
Agroecology

Agroecology is a holistic and integrated approach that simultaneously applies ecological and social concepts and principles to the design and management of sustainable agriculture and food systems. It seeks to optimize the interactions between plants, animals, humans and the environment while also addressing the need for socially equitable food systems within which people can exercise choice over what they eat and how and where it is produced.

Global Programme
Global Programme on Sustainable Dryland Agriculture

Drylands are home to an estimated 2 billion people, about 90 percent of them in developing countries. Drylands are also home to a great variety of indigenous livestock breeds and plant species that are essential for food security and livelihoods. Drylands represent 43.2 percent of total global area in 2020, and are predicted to be 44.2 percent in 2050.

Knowledge Platform
Conservation Agriculture

Conservation Agriculture is a farming system that promotes minimum soil disturbance (i.e. no tillage), maintenance of a permanent soil cover, and diversification of plant species. It enhances biodiversity and natural biological processes above and below the ground surface, which contribute to increased water and nutrient use efficiency and to improved and sustained crop production.

Knowledge Platform
Locust Management

FAO closely monitors the global Desert Locust situation 24/7 and provides forecasts, early warning and alerts on the timing, scale and location of invasions and breeding through its global Desert Locust Information Service (DLIS). All locust-affected countries transmit locust data to FAO who in turn analyse this information in conjunction with weather and habitat data and satellite imagery in order to assess the current locust situation, provide forecasts up to six weeks in advance and issue warnings on an ad-hoc basis.

Knowledge Platform
Seeds

Seeds are the primary basis for human sustenance. They are the repository of the genetic potential of crop species and their varieties resulting from the continuous improvement and selection over time. Crop improvement and the delivery of high quality seeds and planting materials of selected varieties to growers is necessary for ensuring improved crop production and meeting growing environmental challenges. Food security therefore is dependent on the seed security of farming communities.

Knowledge Platform
Farmer Field Schools

A Farmer Field School brings together a group of farmers, livestock herders or fisherfolk, to learn on how to shift towards more sustainable production practices, by better understanding complex agro-ecosystems and by enhancing ecosystem services. A FFS group meets regularly during a production cycle, setting up experimentation and engaging in hands-on learning to improve skills and knowledge that will help adapt practices to their specific context. 

World Bee Day

20 May

Knowledge Platform
Sustainable Agricultural Mechanization

Mechanization covers all levels of farming and processing technologies, from simple and basic hand tools to more sophisticated and motorized equipment. It eases and reduces hard labour, relieves labour shortages, improves productivity and timeliness of agricultural operations, improves the efficient use of resources, enhances market access and contributes to mitigating climate related hazards. 

Knowledge Platform
Pest and Pesticide Management

Pesticides are any substance or mixture of substances made up of chemical or biological ingredients and intended to repel, destroy or control pests, or to regulate plant growth. Pests are a major cause of crop yield losses. FAO estimates that plant pests and diseases account for the reduction of between 20 and 40 percent of global crop yields per year. Crop losses contribute to food insecurity, which continues to grow with increasing population numbers in the face of climate challenges.

Knowledge Platform
Urban and Peri-Urban Agriculture

Urban and peri-urban agriculture (UPA) can be defined as practices that yield food and other outputs through agricultural production and related processes, taking place on land and other spaces within cities and surrounding regions. It involves urban and peri-urban actors, communities, methods, places, policies, institutions, systems, ecologies and economies, largely using and regenerating local resources to meet changing needs of local populations while serving multiple goals and functions.

Global Programme
City Region Food Systems Programme

Adopting a City Region Food Systems (CRFS) approach offers concrete policy and programme opportunities where urban developmental issues can be addressed and rural and urban communities can be directly linked. Improved city region food systems improve economic, social and environmental conditions in both urban and nearby rural areas. 

Latest news from Plant Production and Protection
Latest news
Peru will host the global celebration of the World Pulses Day 2025
05/02/2025

The global celebration will take place on 10 February 2025, with the theme: “Pulses: Bringing diversity to agrifood systems”. It will be opened by His...

Latest news
What is the difference between legumes and pulses?
04/02/2025

What do lentil stew, hummus and bean chilli have in common? They’re all made with pulses! Every 10 February, we celebrate World Pulses Day, through...

Latest news
NSP New Year Meeting sets strategic direction for the division
31/01/2025

The division began 2025 on a promising note with its New Year Meeting on January 23, celebrating achievements, setting priorities, and new strategic...

Latest news
Viet Nam advances its agroecology agenda with global support
30/01/2025

Government officials, international and national experts, farmers and private sector stakeholders gathered in Ha Noi on 3-6 December to advance actions...

News
Nitrogen use efficiency must be improved to reduce harm to human and environmental health
21/01/2025

The newly published report on sustainable nitrogen management in agrifood systems provides a comprehensive overview of nitrogen use and the resulting...

Latest news
FAO announces the theme for World Pulses Day 2025
17/01/2025

The theme for this year's World Pulses Day (10 February 2025) is: “Pulses: Bringing diversity to agrifood systems”. Learn more about pulses...

Latest news
New Director for Plant Production and Protection
18/12/2024

Yurdi Yasmi has recently been appointed as the Director of the FAO Plant Production and Protection Division. He brings prior FAO leadership experience,...

Latest news
FAO Deputy Director-General Beth Bechdol visits the Tea Research Institute in China
15/11/2024

FAO Deputy Director-General Ms Beth Bechdol and Special Advisor to the FAO Director-General Mr Xia Jingyuan visited China to witness the progress of...

Latest news
University of Florence students gain insights into FAO’s global fight against transboundary plant pests and diseases
21/11/2024

FAO hosted students from the University of Florence, showcasing its efforts to protect and promote sustainable food systems. Through thematic sessions,...

Latest news
Advancing agroecology in East Africa through collaboration with parliamentarians
19/11/2024

FAO and the East African Legislative Assembly hosted a workshop in Kampala, Uganda, to deepen parliamentarians' understanding of agroecology and resolved...

Latest news
Building climate-resilience on a global scale
11/11/2024

FAO and the European Conservation Agriculture Federation signed a Memorandum of Understanding, strengthening collaboration to scale up sustainable agricultural...

Latest news
Sustainable mechanization and digitalization: Innovations that emPOWER youth in agrifood systems
06/11/2024

A major challenge facing many low- and middle-income countries is that agriculture is not viewed as a realistic career path for young people. Youth...

Latest news
Media as a catalyst for agrifood systems transformation
24/10/2024

During the World Food Forum on 14-18 October 2024, the Youth Group of the FAO Plant Production and Protection Division hosted a live demonstration...

Latest news
Growing without soil: Hydroponics fundamentals, pros and cons
24/10/2024

During the World Food Forum on 14-18 October 2024, the Youth Group of the FAO Plant Production and Protection Division hosted a live demonstration...

Latest news
Pacific countries chart roadmap for sustainable development of special agricultural products
22/10/2024

A workshop in Nanjing, China kickstarted the development of a comprehensive roadmap to promote special agricultural products in Pacific Island countries...

Latest news
Strengthening the value chain of large cardamom in Nepal
21/10/2024

A high-level delegation from the Government of Nepal met with the secretariat of the OCOP Initiative in Plant Production and Protection Division at...

Latest news
FAO helps foster new food frontiers with African orphan crops
11/10/2024

Aspiring and established plant scientists from around Africa gathered in Kenya’s capital for a workshop to review what has been achieved so far by the...

Latest news
Healthy plants, healthy planet: The key to One Health success
08/10/2024

Delegates at a side event during the 29th Session of FAO COAG raised the importance of increasing awareness and knowledge sharing about the crucial...

Latest news
Exhibition highlights the interconnected nature of our agrifood systems
30/09/2024

The exhibition showcases the technical work and knowledge products of FAO. Visitors can immerse themselves in a 360-degree video experience that explores...

Latest news
Resilient Drylands: Innovating for Sustainable Agricultural Landscapes and Livelihoods
25/09/2024

The webinar attracted global interest from more than 600 registrants and about 250 live participants and was part of a broader dialogue on sustainable...