As the world population grows, it is essential to increase sustainable agricultural production, improve the global food supply chain, decrease food loss and waste, and ensure everyone—especially those suffering from poverty, hunger and malnutrition—has access to food. Improving yields on agricultural lands and restoration of degraded lands through sustainable agriculture techniques can also relieve pressure to clear forests for agriculture. Better management of water through improved irrigation and storage technologies, combined with development of new drought-resistant crop varieties, can contribute to sustaining drylands productivity.
Sustainable Development Goal 2 (SDG 2), “End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture,” recognizes the importance of supporting sustainable agriculture, empowering small farmers, promoting gender equality, ending rural poverty, ensuring healthy lifestyles, tackling climate change, and other issues addressed by the 17 SDGs in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) takes the lead on agriculture and food security in the UN system, working in cooperation with other international and regional organizations and national governments.