Key development challenges of a fundamental transformation of agriculture

The problems of climate change, hunger and poverty, economic, social and gender inequity, poor health and nutrition, and environmental sustainability are inter-related and need to be solved by leveraging agriculture's multi-functionality. Against this background, a fundamental transformation towards climate-friendly agriculture, consisting of a mosaic of agro-ecological production practices, must become the new paradigm, but it should not compromise other very important development objectives Addressing the equity challenge, notably food security and farmer livelihoods. Enhancing sustainable productivity, based on a new, systemically different definition that focuses on total farm output instead of productivity per unit of labour, and Strengthening resilience to resource and energy scarcity and climate change. It is therefore important to think in systems, rather than overemphasizing a climate focus.

Related Subject(s): International Trade and Finance