Science is key to better agriculture, says FAO

Science, policy and capacity key to the future of agriculture, said Qu Dongyu, Director General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). With the world at a critical juncture, science must lead the way in guiding responses to global challenges, he said. Qu revealed this at the recent Forum for the Future of Agriculture (FFA), a European conference on the future of agriculture, food and the environment.
Hunger is on the rise, Qu said in his keynote address and has been for the last six years. Even before COVID-19 struck, there were nearly 690 million undernourished people. He said the pandemic likely added a further 132 million to the "ranks of the hungry" in 2020, citing FAO’s 2020 State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World report.
The Director-General also outlined FAO’s “Four Betters” approach to agriculture. These are Better Production, Better Nutrition, a Better Environment and a Better Life. Qu said the Four Betters would support more efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agri-food systems. These approaches will also connect the pursuit of an end to hunger and malnutrition to preserving the environment and biodiversity. (Image from Unsplash)