Wake up before it is too late: Make agriculture truly sustainable now for food security in a changing climate

The Trade and environment review 2013 from UNCTAD focuses entirely on agriculture. The key message is that developing and developed countries need a paradigm shift in agricultural development: from a "green revolution" to a "truly ecological intensification" approach.

The report is comprised of 5 chapters written by development practionners and academics: agriculture transformation, livestock, extension, land use and trade. Each chapters is followed by a set of commentaries from a range of experts that provide case studies or more details on specific concepts. The report emphasizes that a shift is necessary towards diverse production patterns that reflect the “multi-functionality” of agriculture and enhance closed nutrient cycles. Moreover, as the environmental costs of industrial agriculture are largely not accounted for, governments should act to ensure that more food is grown where it is needed. It recommends adjusting trade rules that allow “as much regionalized/localized food production as possible; as much traded food as necessary.”

UNCTAD - September 2013