The head of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) asserted that today’s model of agricultural production is not sufficient to meet 21st century food security needs.
“Since food production is not a sufficient condition for food security, it means that the way we are producing is no longer acceptable,” FAO director-general José Graziano da Silva told ministers, scientists, farmers, and members of civil society at the France-hosted International Forum on Agriculture and Climate Change held in Paris.
“What we are still mostly seeing is a model of production that cannot prevent the degradation of soils and the loss of biodiversity – both of which are essential goods, especially for future generations. This model must be reviewed. We need a paradigm shift,” he added.
Graziano da Silva also underscored the important role played by healthy soils. “Soils host at least one quarter of the world’s biodiversity and are key in the carbon cycle. They help us to mitigate and adapt to climate change,” he said.
This year has been designated by the UN General Assembly as the international year of soils, and FAO is the lead agency for coordinating the year’s activities.
Learn more: www.fao.org/soils-2015/en