In an alarming revelation, a recent report titled “State of the World’s Biodiversity for Food and Agriculture” cautions about a grave threat to the global food supply due to significant biodiversity loss. The study was unveiled by The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations. This loss pertains to plants, animals, and microorganisms essential to food production.
Key Findings: High threat to India’s Soil Biodiversity
The report placed India among nations facing a severe threat to soil biodiversity, according to an index combining eight stressors such as loss of above-ground diversity and overgrazing. Soil biota plays a vital role in releasing nutrients to crops and generating organic matter. However, climate change poses a potential danger to soil biota, potentially leading to nutrient losses and agricultural collapse in some regions. The global map revealed that most of India, along with regions in Africa, Americas and Asia, falls under highly stressed zones.
The Problem of Declining Biological Control Agents (BCAs)
The loss of biological control agents (BCAs), namely insects and pests, is another contributing factor to declining biodiversity. India has reported a decrease in parasitoid wasps and flies, essential for biological pest control. Similar situations are noted in Bangladesh and Nepal with diminishing spiders and predatory insects, and a general decline in pest’s natural enemies, respectively. The U.S has witnessed a nearly 40% drop in its grassland bird index between 1968 and 2014.
Impact of Climate Change
Extreme weather events due to climate change are disrupting species distribution and yields. Rising tropical temperatures push coffee cultivation towards higher mountainous elevations. Plus, frequent cold or windy days in spring may hamper pollination. For instance, Egypt forecasts that rising temperatures will prompt fish species to shift northwards, impacting fishery production.
| Country | Biodiversity Threat |
|---|---|
| India | Severe threat to soil biodiversity |
| Bangladesh | Decline in spiders and predatory insects |
| Nepal | General decline in the diversity of pests’ natural enemies |
| United States | 40% decline in grassland bird index between 1968 and 2014 |
Biodiversity Importance for Adapting to Climate Change
Biodiversity is critical for adjusting to climate change. Livestock diversity acts as a safety net against crop failure. In India, small landholders and rural dwellers without lands manage about 75% of livestock resources, deriving nearly half their income from them. Risks can be minimized by raising species, breeds or varieties adapted to tackle shocks like droughts or disease outbreaks or by diversifying crop, livestock or aquatic organisms to enhance survival probability.
The Green Revolution Impact
Prior to the Green Revolution in the 1960s, India promoted significant crop biodiversity at the landscape level. Farm-level cropping and tree establishments varied widely. In case of a failure, not all crops would suffer simultaneously. However, specialization of crops for high yields has left farmers vulnerable. Crop failures are now common during natural disasters or pest attacks.
About Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), a United Nations affiliate, spearheads international efforts to combat hunger, providing knowledge and information. By helping developing and transition countries modernize and enhance agriculture, forestry, and fisheries practices, FAO ensures nutrition and food security for everyone. It was established in Quebec City, Canada on October 16, 1945, and has its headquarters in Rome, Italy. Each year, on October 16, World Food Day is celebrated to mark FAO’s founding. The theme for 2018 was “Zero Hunger”. FAO also targets to “End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture” by 2030 under the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG-2).
