Vegetables at the Kandal market in Phnom Penh, Cambodia

    Biodiversity and agriculture Sustainable agriculture conserves biodiversity

    Hunger still affects many millions of people worldwide. After the number of hungry people had declined for many years, it has been rising again since 2015 as a result of conflict, war and climate change-induced disasters. So it is absolutely vital for the survival of humankind to conserve natural resources in rural areas as a basis for agriculture. These resources include land and water, but also biodiversity.

    The effects of climate change and biodiversity loss pose a threat to the productivity and resilience of the agricultural sector. At the same time, agriculture is one of the main drivers of biodiversity loss and the rise in greenhouse gas emissions. Land degradation affects some ten million hectares every year – about one third the size of Germany. This human-induced land degradation is in part the result of over-intensive farming, forest clearance, pollution, and soil sealing.

    Biodiversity conservation contributes to global food security. That is why the BMZ supports sustainable agricultural and food systems that conserve healthy ecosystems as a basis for human life and livelihoods, reduce climate risks and emit less greenhouse gas. The BMZ is advocating for better and fairer compensation for the services provided by sustainable agricultural systems. Consumers must shoulder part of the responsibility for biodiversity conservation.


    Agrobiodiversity

    Potato varieties at a market in Cusco, Peru

    Potato varieties at a market in Cusco, Peru

    Agrobiodiversity is the diversity of living organisms that contribute to agriculture and food production. Those plant varieties and livestock breeds that were bred by humans are also cultural assets. Agrobiodiversity is vital for humanity. It plays a key part in ensuring healthy and balanced nutrition, especially in developing countries.

    In less fertile soils in particular, plant species that are local to the region often do better than the high-yield varieties. Intercropping reduces the risk of crop loss. It gives rural people long-term income opportunities and, thus, a chance to overcome hunger and poverty. Broad genetic diversity has a positive impact on soil quality and makes it easier for agriculture to adapt to global environmental change such as longer periods of drought and heat.

    However, the number of existing and agriculturally used species and varieties has been declining massively for more than a hundred years. The factors behind biodiversity loss in agriculture are varied. Modern agriculture itself has contributed significantly to the decline in agricultural biodiversity, through more and more intensive and specialised production. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), further important drivers of the loss of species and varieties are developments in international agricultural markets, climate change, pollution, and invasive species.

    German activities

    Germany's development cooperation is geared towards agricultural diversity conservation and towards the protection, sustainable use and restoration of natural resources. In order to create sustainable agricultural systems, agroecological principles and a focus on regional cycles are important guiding elements. For example, the BMZ supports the efforts of rural communities in partner countries to use traditional methods of farming and animal husbandry that are adapted to local conditions.

    In addition, the rights of farmers to conserve, multiply and distribute their local seeds are being strengthened. Support is being provided, in particular, to smallholder farms' plant breeding and seed production activities. The BMZ also fosters equitable access to land, especially for women, smallholder families and Indigenous people. Secure tenure is a prerequisite for sustainable economic, environmental and social development in rural areas.

    Initiatives

    Germany is one of the main donors to the Global Crop Diversity Trust (Crop Trust), which was founded in 2004 by FAO and the CGIAR System Organization. The Trust aims to help seed banks preserve global seed diversity.

    The BMZ is also a founding member of the Economics of Land Degradation (ELD) Initiative, which focuses on the economic value of land-based ecosystem services. The ELD Initiative, established in 2011, enables decision-makers in partner countries to consider the economic value of healthy soil and related services when drawing up policies and land use strategies.

    Led by the BMZ, the G7 launched the CompensACTION initiative in 2022. Its purpose is to ensure that agricultural producers worldwide – especially smallholders in developing countries – receive appropriate compensation for the various services they provide, giving them a living income. Such services include not only the products they sell but also the conservation of agrobiodiversity on their farms and contributions to climate change adaptation.

    As at: 31/07/2024