FAO Report Reveals Alarming Impact of Disasters on Agriculture and Food Security
A new report released by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has shed light on the devastating impact of natural disasters on global agriculture. The report, titled “The impact of disasters on agriculture and food security,” provides the first-ever comprehensive estimation of the losses incurred by the agricultural sector due to disasters. With an average annual loss of €117 billion, equivalent to 5% of the global agricultural gross domestic product (GDP), the findings highlight the urgent need for improved data and disaster risk management strategies.
The Vulnerability of Agriculture:
Agriculture, being heavily reliant on natural resources and climate conditions, is one of the most exposed and vulnerable sectors when it comes to disaster risks. The report emphasizes that recurrent disasters have the potential to undermine food security and sustainability in agrifood systems. With this in mind, the FAO aims to leverage its technical expertise to develop proactive measures that integrate disaster risk management into agricultural practices and policies.
The Magnitude of Losses:
Over the past three decades, disasters have caused significant losses in agricultural production, particularly in lower and lower middle-income countries. These nations have experienced losses of up to 15% of their total agricultural GDP. Small Island Developing States (SIDS) have also been severely affected, with losses amounting to nearly 7% of their agricultural GDP. The report further reveals increasing trends in losses across major agricultural product groups.
Cereal Losses and Beyond:
Cereal losses have been particularly alarming, averaging 69 million tonnes per year over the last three decades. To put this into perspective, it is equivalent to the entire cereal production of France in 2021. Fruits and vegetables, as well as sugar crops, have also suffered substantial losses, with each approaching an average of 40 million tonnes per year. Meats, dairy products, and eggs have experienced an estimated loss of 16 million tonnes annually, equivalent to the entire production of these products in Mexico and India in 2021.
Regional Disparities:
While global losses are significant, there are notable variations across regions and country groups. Asia has borne the largest share of economic losses, followed by Africa, Europe, and the Americas. However, the losses in Asia only accounted for 4% of the agricultural added value, while in Africa, they corresponded to nearly 8%. These regional disparities highlight the need for tailored strategies to address the specific challenges faced by each region.
The FAO’s report paints a grim picture of the impact of natural disasters on global agriculture. With losses amounting to an average of €117 billion per year, the agricultural sector faces a severe crisis that threatens food security and sustainability. Urgent action is needed to improve data collection and enhance disaster risk management strategies across all subsectors of agriculture. By integrating these measures into agricultural practices and policies, we can mitigate the devastating effects of natural disasters and build more resilient agrifood systems for the future.
