Transformative changes in growing healthy and nutritious food, along with
sustainable agricultural systems must be done simultaneously while
protecting our planet's biodiversity. Food and Agriculture Organization
(FAO) Director-General Jose Graziano da Silva mentioned this at the opening
of an international dialogue on mainstreaming biodiversity into agricultural
policies and practices.

"The way we are producing our food is a big part of the problem.Today, the
world still produces food mainly based on the principles of the Green
Revolution that started more than 50 years ago and implies the use of high
chemical inputs at a high cost for the environment," according to Graziano
da Silva. Thus, he argued that focusing on protecting biodiversity across
all sectors is "fundamental."

The genetic diversity of plants can be harnessed to come up with varieties
that can tolerate hotter and drier conditions. On the other hand, the loss
of agricultural biodiversity poses a direct risk to food security. FAO
emphasized the need for alignment of policies governing agricultural
sectors, the use of natural resources, protection and conservation of
endangered species, habitats, and biodiversity to add more protection to the
environment and lessen the ecological footprint of agriculture, forestry,
and fischeries.

[www.fao.org]